Hennops Revival
Tarryn Johnson of Hennops Revival detailed the ways this non-profit organisation is reviving, healing and restoring the Hennops River, one of Gauteng’s larger rivers, through various projects that are also a source of job creation. The projects include the removal of human and organic waste from the waterways, banks, root systems and bridges; installation of a litter catchment system to trap waste; phyto-remediation; as well as soil regeneration and soil erosion control. The organisation has also introduced a pilot project to install waterless toilets in impoverished communities to minimise the amount of sewage entering the river.
The judges noted that Hennops Revival demonstrated that anyone can do their part to address the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis. They also said it was “an inspiring” citizens’ initiative that contributes to generating much-needed awareness and accessible, scalable solutions to preserve a key part of our ecosystems: rivers.
Judges’ comments
- I loved the presentation for the passion and for demonstrating that anyone and all can do their part to address the climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis. The project sets a great model , with the potential to be replicated widely by communities all over South Africa
- An inspiring citizens’ initiative that contributes to generate much-needed awareness and accessible, scalable solutions to preserve a key part of our ecosystems: rivers. Water systems play an important part in biodiversity (fauna and flora) and in climate resilience, including in urban and peri-urban settings
- This project has comparative strengths in that it has community volunteers and uses simple innovative and available technologies and materials