about adopt a river
ADOPT A RIVER
Adopt a River Eco Solutions is a registered non-profit working in the river and environmental space. Based mainly in KZN, we do have ties and connections to like-minded groups in other provinces.
We focus on community-based solutions to the myriad of river health issues we face. We understand that each river, each stretch, each community is different and a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not going to work.
We interact at grass roots level to gain insight before determining the best course of action.
What we do
Our aim is to partner with individuals, corporates and agencies who share the desire to work, and want to create lasting sustainable differences to the environments in which we operate.
Timeline
2018
Began investigating the water quality and pollution issues relating to the Dusi and uMngeni Rivers in KZN.
2019
June – Started with a pilot river team based at the uMngeni River mouth as part of the Save Our Rivers campaign
2019
Successfully interacted with various stakeholders throughout this year
2020
Feb – Move towards formalising the work – Adopt a River began
2020
Feb – ADreach extended their sponsorship of the river team based at the uMngeni
2020
September – Formally registered our non-profit – Adopt a River Eco Solutions
2020
November – Second major corporate sponsor, Tufbag, came on board
2020
December – Second river team, based along the Msunduzi River, in the Mkhambathini Municipality area
2021
January – became joint organiser of the #CleanBlueLagoon community initiative
2021
February – Partnered with Tufbag, WESSA KZN & Umgeni Estuary Conservancy in managing two river teams under the Amanzi Ethu Nobuntu initiative – a governmental employment stimulus pilot together with DUCT
2018
Began investigating the water quality and pollution issues relating to the Dusi and uMngeni Rivers in KZN.
2019
June – Started with a pilot river team based at the uMngeni River mouth as part of the Save Our Rivers campaign
2019
Successfully interacted with various stakeholders throughout this year
2020
Feb – Move towards formalising the work – Adopt a River began
2020
Feb – ADreach extended their sponsorship of the river team based at the uMngeni
2020
September – Formally registered our non-profit – Adopt a River Eco Solutions
2020
November – Second major corporate sponsor, Tufbag, came on board
2020
December – Second river team, based along the Msunduzi River, in the Mkhambathini Municipality area
2021
January – became joint organiser of the #CleanBlueLagoon community initiative
2021
February – Partnered with Tufbag, WESSA KZN & Umgeni Estuary Conservancy in managing two river teams under the Amanzi Ethu Nobuntu initiative – a governmental employment stimulus pilot together with DUCT
Our Team
Janet
I began my river health journey in 2018.
I am not a scientist or qualified environmentalist by trade, but I knew something was very wrong with our rivers, and something had to be done.
My experience in education and project management has helped shape this river activist role I find myself in.
What started out as an investigation into the state of the Dusi and uMngeni Rivers quickly transformed into managing a pilot project at the catchment mouth under the Save Our Rivers Campaign.
This later developed into the formal registration of a non-profit, Adopt a River Eco Solutions, in order to build on the success of the pilot and expansion of our work.
I am first and foremost a mother – my desire to leave a better planet for my children and humanity to come, continues to drive me forward.
Water is LIFE and we cannot give up. Everyone has a role to play in this fight for our water, our environment, our health.
Join us!
Siphiwe
I am a very friendly, outdoor-loving person who spends most of my spare time networking and doing environmental work. I am very passionate about the environment, education and I love a clean space.
I have 10 years of experience working with rivers, especially the uMngeni River. I would like to see the Adopt a River project expanding to the Harbour here in KZN as well as to other cities like PMB and Cape Town. I also wish to see Adopt a River gaining support from international organizations in order to achieve these expansions.