City partnership empowers Mfuleni youngsters to become river stewards

13 July 2026

Young people, urban farmers and emerging water activists in Mfuleni are stepping forward to be more prominent in protecting the Kuils River. The City's partnership with a local non-profit organisation, is equipping locals interested in environmental stewardship with knowledge, skills and opportunities to tackle pollution for healthier rivers.

Through grant funding from the City's Water and Sanitation Directorate, the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) collaborated with four high schools from Mfuleni, and prepared them for participation in a mini-participatory action research (PAR) process.

Leading the youth along the Kuils River to identify pollution hotspots and environmental obstacles, the group analysed their findings and rated them in order of priority to be tabled for discussion with other key stakeholders.

The EMG also facilitated a community clean-up, collecting 28 bags of waste from the river. A total of 2 669 items were recorded during the clean-up, with plastic accounting for 62% of the waste removed. They have also helped encourage participation in the Kuils River Catchment Management Forum.

By bringing together multiple roleplayers within the community and convening a structured workshop with the City, participants presented their findings from the mini-PAR process and embarked on a journey to start co-designing solutions.
 
‘Through projects like this, residents are becoming part of the solution, confronting the challenge of water pollution through action, with voluntary clean-ups. Local knowledge about community dynamics is also incredibly valuable and has helped to shape discussions about the future of the Kuils River catchment.

 ‘Together with organisations such as the Environmental Monitoring Group, we are helping to build a society aware of the importance of environmental stewardship, where every resident has enough knowledge to play their part in protecting urban rivers for generations to come,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

 ‘It is critical that community participation is supported in all communities. We feel that all too often it is only those in advantaged areas that have access to forums (like the river catchment management forums) and opportunities to raise concerns and issues. If we are to build a fair and just society, everyone should have access to clean water, sanitation and a healthy environment. To ensure this, there must be space for all to be heard. We hope this project assisted in moving us in this direction,’ said Mandy Moussouris from EMG.
 
More about EMG
Established in 1991, the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) has more than three decades of experience advancing environmental and social justice. Today, EMG works alongside marginalised communities to address the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and water and food insecurity, with a strong focus on environmental justice and building resilient, sustainable communities.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office