Jukskei
Photo Credit: Matthew Montrone via Pexels

The Jukskei River is under constant threat from the expanding population, pollution and run-off from informal settlements but one organisation is hoping to restore it.

 

Alexandra, South Africa (18 November 2022) – The infamously polluted Jukskei River has received the attention of a non-profit organisation, Khulisa Social Solutions, and the leading global hybrid cloud and AI, who have partnered to clean it up and make it safe and sustainable for over 700,000 dwellers in Alexandra and other surrounding communities.

Khulisa Social Solutions is a non-profit company that helps vulnerable children, youth and communities unlock their potential and develop skills toward a sustainable future.

It operates nationally, employs over 180 staff through 16 offices, and works in approximately 150 communities in collaboration with 350 NGO partners, impacting on the lives of close to 200,000 people per annum.

Khulisa partners with national and local government departments, schools, correctional facilities, community leaders, corporates, thought leaders, academic institutions, and private companies. Khulisa’s internationally acclaimed and locally rewarded best practice programmes deliver positive and measurable impact with the focus on youth and community development.

For over ten years, the Jukskei River – which remains Johannesburg’s largest river, has endured extensive pollution from chemical toilets, kitchen waste, human excreta, and detergents. Many homes have been built on the riverbanks, further aggravating these circumstances. Consequently, the river poses health hazards to the community, in addition, the informal settlement located closer to the river frequently experiences floods during heavy rains.

Managing director of the non-profit organisation, Khulisa Social Solutions, Lesley Ann van Selm, stresses, “If not addressed effectively, these issues may degenerate into unrecoverable losses. While few suggestions have been made to resolve outstanding issues around the Jukskei River, only a few actions have been taken to solve the problem.

“This is why we believe the support of the community, municipality, and local businesses will bring about solutions that will help bring material change and ensure that the dreams of the Alexandra community can finally be realised.”

Khulisa together with the Alexandra Water Sanitation Environment Community Forum recently hosted a Jukskei River enterprise design thinking workshop. The workshop was attended by government and municipal representatives, members of the community, and a host of invested stakeholders in the Jukskei River who are keen to see tangible solutions.

Outcomes of the design workshops will be presented to stakeholders at the inaugural Jukskei River Imbizo which is set to take place on Monday, 21 November 2022. Included in the event will be feedback of initial Environmental Restorative Justice mediations in Alex, linked to the Jukskei, in celebration on International Restorative Justice week which runs from the 20th to the 26th of November every year.

“The future of Jukskei River is in our hands, and equally, the health and safety of the Alexandra community depends heavily on this natural resource, so we have the responsibility to influence their future for the better. We look forward to celebrating our successes together soon,” concludes van Selm.


Sources: Khulisa Social Solutions – Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *