The first democratic South African President’s birthday, celebrated every year on the 18th of July, will this year be celebrated under the theme Take Action Against Poverty. 

The struggle stalwart’s birthday is celebrated globally to inspire nations to change the world for the better and help those less privileged.

Amid water challenges faced in the country, the Department of Water and Sanitation has meanwhile appealed to citizens to dedicate their 67 minutes to clean rivers and streams. 

The plea come at the time when the country still awaits a resolution on the water crisis in the Vaal River where it is alleged that over 60 megalitres of raw sewage were spilt into the river and flooded the streets and residents’ homes.

The river, which supplies water to several communities, including Vereeniging, Sebokeng, Boipatong, and Sharpeville, made national headlines late last year when residents embarked of protests due to the health hazard posed by the pollution in this river.

The Emfuleni Local Municipality has been named as one of the suspected polluters who immensely contributed to the pollution of the river.

The matter has since been classified as a human right’s violation by the South African Human Rights Commission with an investigation still underway.

In an attempt to tackle the polluted Vaal River, members of the South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) were last year deployed to repair the Sebokeng Waste Water Plant.

The team, made up of at least 200 soldiers, among them specialist engineers, could, however, not continue with the project due to a lack of funding. They have reported that over R800 million is needed to continue with the project, which includes rebuilding a collapsed wastewater system.

As the country celebrates Mandela Month and looks forward to Madiba Day, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has called on all South Africans to make every day a Mandela day in celebration of his life and legacy.

OFM News