ALEX STAKEHOLDERS PROVIDED WITH WATER GOVERNANCE TRAINING TO SALVAGE THE JUKSKEI  RIVER

22 February 2023 Johannesburg: One of Johannesburg’s largest rivers, the Jukskei River, needs an urgent  intervention to address the continual pollution that threatens it, and to make it safe and sustainable for  over 700,000 dwellers in Alexandra and other surrounding communities. 

Khulisa Social Solutions, a non-profit organisation (NPO) with over 25 years of empowering  underprivileged South Africans to unlock their potential, hosted a workshop facilitated by Gillian Niven,  Regulatory Lawyer specialising in environmental law at Allen & Overy, on the 15th February 2023.  Information provided a high-level insight on the National Water Act, including the key principles, policies,  institutions, and regulatory framework governing the management and use of raw water in South Africa. 

According to Lesley Ann van Selm, Managing Director of Khulisa, “This workshop empowered those  affected by the Jukskei River degradation alongside key insights on water governance within the South  African context, and the number of relevant provisions in the National Water Act such as the general duty  of care in relation to water resources and when authorisation to use water is required.”  

The way forward, agreed upon by approximately 50 attendees, was to establish a core task team,  comprising ten representatives with specialized areas of focus specific to environmental affairs. The  representatives will be meeting within the next two weeks to investigate the causal factors of various  sources of the Jukskei pollution, whereafter they will begin to engage with high-level stakeholders on  remedial action to be taken. 

The initiative will be spearheaded by Khulisa in collaboration with the Alexandra Water Sanitation and  Environmental Community Forum.

About us

Khulisa Social Solutions is a non-profit company that helps vulnerable children, youth and communities unlock their potential and develop skills toward a sustainable future.

It operates nationally, employs over 180 staff through 16 offices, and works in approximately 150 communities in collaboration with 350 NGO partners, impacting the lives of close to 200,000 people per annum.

Khulisa partners with national and local government departments, schools, correctional facilities, community leaders, corporates, thought leaders, academic institutions, and private companies. Khulisa’s internationally acclaimed and locally rewarded best practice programs deliver positive and measurable impact with the main focus on youth and community development.

For more information, contact

Lesley Ann Van Selm | 082 601 2299 | lesleyann@khulisa.org.za  | media@khulisa.org.za 

www.khulisa.org.za