Schoolchildren learned the value of keeping the environment clean when they picked up litter along the Diepsloot wetlands, as part of National Water Week.

City Parks managing director Luther Williamson at the commemoration of National Water Week in Diepsloot

THE empty swings rocked desolately in the relentless rain that poured down on the newly renovated park in Diepsloot, but Sharon Isaac, a 13-year-old girl from the township, swore that at the first glimmer of sunshine, she would be on those swings.

Isaac was one of 240 children who had been bussed in from various schools in Diepsloot by City Parks on Tuesday, 18 March, to mark National Water Week and to clean up the wetlands that border the park. And, despite the dreary weather, she said she was happy that the township finally had a "beautiful" park.

"The park has all the play equipment [needed] to keep us busy for the whole day," she said, dipping into a lunchbox provided by Johannesburg's parks agency.

Located close to the N14 freeway, the park has a mini-soccer field, swings, a slide, a place reserved for indigenous games and a huge outdoor television screen. Security is provided 24 hours a day.

National Water Week runs from 17 to 23 March. Speaking on the day, City Parks's managing director, Luther Williamson, said it was apt that children from Diepsloot observed National Water Week on such a rainy day.

Responsibilities
"I have always maintained that every child has a right to play and enjoy a safe and clean environment. However, I also maintain that with that right comes the responsibility to refrain from wasting water, stop littering and respect the environment."

Working to clean up a wetland in Diepsloot

Williamson said the cleanup campaign demonstrated the schoolchildren's commitment to protecting the environment.

"You have made time to remind us that littering and protecting our fresh water is everybody's responsibility. And I am hopeful that you will go back to your schools as ambassadors for the environment and urge the [other] learners to join you in the campaign to refrain from wasting water and to protect the environment."

City Parks was capitalising on the momentum of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to develop a green legacy to benefit residents even after 2010. Williamson said road islands were being developed; new parks were being rolled out - including two new cemeteries, one the Diepsloot Memorial Cemetery.

The Diepsloot cemetery and the new multipurpose centre in the township won international awards in London at the Liveable Communities (LivCom) Awards in November 2007, he added.

Taking to the podium, the ward councillor, Isaak Maela, said the theme for this year's National Water Week was Sustainable water for economic growth. He urged schoolchildren to manage water resources better as South Africa was the 30th driest country in the world.

Scarce resource
"I know that the people of Diepsloot are very mindful of saving water - including children. We understand the value and importance of fresh water that comes out of a tap, because it is such a scarce resource here.

Children from Diepsloot schools clean up a street in the township

"But we sometimes fail to understand that the water that we use to bath flows into the wetlands in Diepsloot, and then goes into the Jukskei River and then goes into the Vaal River, where it is purified and then comes back to us through a very well-managed water system."

Wrapping up the day's activities, Williamson thanked Toyota, City Parks's partners in the cleanup of the wetlands, and challenged the motor company to plant a tree for each vehicle produced.

"Joburg is in the process of planting 400 000 trees at a cost of R400-million. Toyota's help in greening the city will be much appreciated and I hope this is the start of a long-term relationship."

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