A multi-city province-wide clean-up project has started in Gauteng and will make its way to the Tshwane metro with one goal: save the Hennops River.

Communities, volunteers and non-profit organisations will attempt to clean the river which has become plagued by garbage and raw sewage.

The restorative campaign has already started in Johannesburg and will make its way to Centurion.

Next week Friday and Saturday, volunteers will clean the informal recycling area opposite SuperSport Park in West Avenue and the area next to the Royal Elephant hotel.

Besides removing litter and restoring banks, the introduction of micro-organisms in slow flowing areas will consume toxins to restore the wildlife and fish to the river.

Willem Snyman, director of Fresh.ngo, said it was vital that the wetlands were restored.

“We find in some areas the wetlands are being covered with building rubble,” said Snyman.

He said temporary shelters were then built on this foundation which only added to the problem.

“Only by re-establishing the wetlands and their vegetation can we prevent erosion and silting up of the river,” Snyman said.

The department of environmental affairs is also involved and had helped raise the awareness of the problem, said Snyman.

Those who wish to help are invited to gather on the corner of South Street and West Avenue at 07:00 on Friday 26 October .

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