Working towards a sustainable solution
The Hennops River, once a vibrant part of South Africa's natural heritage, faces a severe pollution crisis. Stretching across 94km and three metropolitan areas, the river's waters are tainted with sewage, industrial waste, and litter.
‘The river is also affected by agricultural run-off and industrial effluent, particularly from streams that pass through industrial areas. Additionally, the presence of litter and general waste, which includes plastic and Styrofoam, intensifies pollution issues, leading to the formation of microplastics and the release of harmful substances into the water,’ said Tarryn Johnston, Founder of the Hennops River Revival Project.
‘Previous litter catchment systems in the Hennops River proved unsuccessful, and Johnson strongly advocated for a custom-built river waste management system that would be better suited to the Hennops River specifically as well as the challenges faced by her team when removing debris.
‘We’ve always had a great relationship with the team at OUTsurance. Over the past few years, OUTsurance staff volunteered at numerous cleanup projects through their Staff Helping SA OUT intiative. When I met with the OUTsurance team and the possibility of a new, upgraded litter trap was mentioned, they were keen to get involved,’ she added.
The Irene Hennops River Litter Diversion Method
Through a network of partners, the City of Tshwane was able to custom make and successfully install an upgraded litter trap system on the 22nd of August 2024 with the official launch event taking place on the 19th of September 2024.
The new system was manufactured using an HTPE pipe system to ensure flotation and to minimise risk of theft. The design also catered for ease of access and to allow for the removal of waste without requiring anyone to physically enter the water.
Speaking at the launch event, Danie Matthee, Chief Executive Officer at OUTsurance said that ‘It’s important to understand where the support comes from. Our staff contribute their money from their salaries, and we then match those funds two-to-one. The concept behind Staff Helping SA OUT is that we don’t want to just write out cheques, we want to be hands-on involved in the communities that we live and work in.
‘We believe that by funding the manufacturing and installation of custom-made litter traps in the Hennops River, we’re making a tangible investment in the river’s ecosystem, reflecting our commitment to ecological responsibility and the well-being of our community.’
The event was also attended by senior representatives of The City of Tshwane who expressed their commitment in providing support in terms of maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring the trap during high flow periods.
Johnston extended an invite to other corporates to join OUTsurance in supporting this initiative, ‘Together, we can create a significant, lasting impact on our environment, ensuring our river and community thrive for generations to come.’