City and Langa residents join forces to tackle water pollution

21 July 2026

More than 200 bags of waste have been removed, over 20 stormwater drains cleared and hundreds of residents reached through a City-funded community project that is helping keep Langa cleaner, reduce localised flooding and encourage water-wise living.

The Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) is one of 22 organisations that received grant funding from the City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate during the 2025/26 financial year, to support community-led water conservation initiatives.

Through its Langa Drain Restoration and Water-Saving Community Campaign, the organisation addressed litter-clogged stormwater drains, stagnant water and poor waste management practices that contribute to localised flooding, pollution and unhealthy living conditions in the Lower Salt River sub-catchment.

Implemented between February and June 2026, the project combined environmental restoration with community education to promote responsible water use.

Key achievements included:

• Removing more than 200 bags of waste through three community clean-up activities
• Clearing litter from more than 20 stormwater drains
  
• Training 30 community volunteers as "Water Guardians" to champion environmental stewardship
  
• Reaching 500 households through a water-saving awareness campaign
  
• Presenting six water-saving and hygiene workshops
  
• Distributing 500 educational resource packs on responsible water use and drain care
  
• Demonstrating practical grey-water reuse methods to households.

An estimated 2 000 people benefited indirectly as a result of cleaner public spaces and reduced flood risks.

‘Blocked drains, littering and illegal dumping can increase flooding. Through our partnership with Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni NPO, residents are helping protect their neighbourhood while learning practical ways to use water responsibly. By combining education with hands-on action, this project is building cleaner, more resilient communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

‘The project successfully achieved many of its intended objectives. During May 2026, the area experienced heavy rainfall. Because drains were regularly cleaned and waste was continuously removed, the community experienced minimal drain blockages during the rainy season,’ said Alfred Jokozela, founder of Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni NPO.

Caption 1:  Community volunteers trained as "Water Guardians" before participating in one of the community clean-ups in Langa on 25 May 2026.
Caption 2: Community volunteers remove litter from public spaces during the clean-up in Langa.
Caption 3: More than 200 bags of waste were collected during the Abahlobo Ekuhlaleni NPO community clean-up campaign.
 
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office