Nestled among the challenging urban decay, the Jukskei River brings light to a deprived neighbourhood with high unemployment, poor services, large migrant communities, and limited economic opportunities.
With its decay, it has become known as a “sewage canal” by many within its periphery. However, it is currently undergoing a long-awaited transformation thanks to the dedicated efforts of Water for the Future (WFTF), who have been instrumental in their efforts to rehabilitate this river and its surroundings into a thriving green corridor. Dedicated to restoring the river’s vitality and fostering community resilience through art, green infrastructure, and a holistic ecological approach.
Before the intervention of Water for the Future, the Jukskei River was far from the lifeline it once was. Years of industrial mining waste, sewage spills from failing wastewater treatment works, the dumping of waste into rivers, and untreated sewage, stagnating it into a toxic stream often mistaken for a Sewer.
Yet, amidst all this adversity, the seed of change was sown by Romy Stander and Hannelie Coetzee, the dynamic duo who started Water for the Future (WFTF) in 2017. They are not just environmentalists but visionaries with a personal stake in the river’s rehabilitation.
Romy fondly remembers her childhood in Knysna: “My mom, my brother, and I would often venture into a part of the forest for long, leisurely walks, leaving my dad behind to enjoy his research. Right in front of our farm was a beautiful river, and my Ouma (grandmother in Afrikaans) would enchant us with stories about a mermaid who lived there. This mermaid was said to listen to people’s stories, making the river a magical place in my eyes, a pristine sanctuary that seemed to take care of those who visited it. So, when I saw the Jukskei River in such a pitiful state, it was truly heart-breaking. I felt a deep sense of urgency, we had to do something to protect and restore such a precious part of our world.”
The mission of WFTF is more than a traditional environmental clean-up. It represents a holistic vision for urban rejuvenation. This ambitious initiative integrates green infrastructure, community engagement, and artistic innovation to tackle the plethora of challenges facing the Jukskei River.
Understanding that genuine restoration requires more than simply removing pollutants, WFTF has embarked on a recuperative journey to heal this wounded waterway, converting “no-go areas” along the banks of the river into thriving green spaces. Their efforts are focused on cleaning and greening the corridor along the river, fostering a revitalised environment that serves both the ecosystem and the local community.
WFTF strategically incorporates nature-based solutions and sustainable designs to make a significant impact. The removal of invasive alien plants, which consume excessive amounts of water, is a vital nature-based solution that restores the natural balance of the ecosystem. What used to be barren land is now being reshaped into a thriving arable area filled with lush greenery, native flora, and the delightful sounds of birds and insects as they return to their natural habitat. Additionally, WFTF pioneers small pilot projects like eco-tree seats, demonstrating innovative ways to improve sustainable drainage, manage urban runoff and mitigate climate effects like the heat island effect.
The community’s role is central to these efforts. By involving residents in the rehabilitation process, WFTF fosters a sense of custodian and stewardship by getting the community members to actively participate in the restoration work, cleaning and greening of the river and river bank, while also gaining valuable skills and contributing to the economic vitality of the area. This engagement not only helps with ecological restoration but also transforms the river into a source of pride and identity for the community.
This is all achieved through funding by the President’s Stimulus Fund, which is a Social Employment Fund sponsored by the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation), which is a national development finance institution with primary objectives to contribute to the generation of balanced, sustainable economic growth in Africa, and the economic empowerment of the South African population.
The journey of Water for the Future has been marked by several significant milestones. One notable achievement was the removal of a wall that had become a hotspot for unsavoury activities. In its place, WFTF introduced a pocket forest, transforming the area into a welcoming green space. Initially met with disdain, the community soon understood and embraced the need for such changes, recognising the benefits of interacting with nature.
The impact of Water for the Future’s efforts extends far beyond environmental restoration. The revitalisation of the Jukskei River has caught the attention of local businesses, which are increasingly recognising the river’s renewed value. This newfound appreciation has sparked a wave of investment and gentrification in the area. Business properties adjacent to the river are now highly sought after, with businesses eager to capitalise on the revitalised landscape. While this economic growth is a positive outcome, Water for the Future remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that these benefits are shared with the community. Water For The Future continues to prioritise initiatives that support residents and foster sustainable development, ensuring that the river’s transformation contributes to both ecological health and community well-being. This collaboration between public, private, and community partners underscores the potential for transformative environmental change that benefits both nature and people, offering a hopeful vision for the future of Johannesburg’s waterways.
Central to Water for the Future’s vision for a revitalised Jukskei River is using it as a site for public art and creativity. One of the several art features along the river is “Ophidian’s Promise,” an evocative site-specific art installation by Io Makandal. This project was commissioned by Alserkal Advisory in partnership with the Global Cultural Districts Network and Victoria Yards as part of Alserkal Advisory’s Global Co-Commission project under the curatorial theme A Feral Commons, curated by Tairone Bastien. Alongside Makandal’s installation in Johannesburg, two more pieces have been co-commissioned as part of this project, one at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, UAE, and the other at Kingston Creative in Kingston, Jamaica. Makandal’s piece stands as a testament to the integration of art, ecology, and community engagement.
“Ophidian’s Promise” is a striking sculpture built from repurposed local bricks and embellished with endangered Soweto highveld biome grasses and plants. Designed to resemble a snake – an archetypal creature often associated with water as a water guardian in many cultures across the globe, the sculpture functions as both a functional eco-duct for urban wildlife and public artwork, connecting urban life with the natural world. The bricks used in the sculpture have a poignant history; they were salvaged from demolished heritage housing in the Lorentzville area where Victoria Yards is located and originally manufactured by Doornfontein Brick Company from clay sourced from the wetlands that once existed in Johannesburg before urban expansion. Makandal deliberately exposed the geological story of the clay bricks by breaking them in half, which also created the texture of the “snakeskin” pattern in the sculpture.
The installation’s snake-like form symbolises the river’s transformation, serving as a living seed bank and a pathway for renewal. It invites viewers to reconnect with the river and to envision its continued healing and rejuvenation. Importantly, on an environmental level, Ophidian’s Promise operates as the first of hopefully many more eco-ducts across the artificial culvert solely for wildlife using the space as well as distributing endangered Soweto Highveld plant seeds by way of the Jukskei River further downstream.
Integral to Makandal’s vision for the piece is community involvement. The installation features a wall text that reads: “BE THE RIVER” created through a unique form of green graffiti. Makandal conducted workshops with local residents, using moss collected from alongside the river and made a moss slurry by blending it with water and plain yoghurt that created a sustainable, living art form. This green graffiti serves as both an artistic statement and a call to action, inviting visitors to see themselves as part of the river’s ongoing story and to deepen their connection with this vital waterway.
“Ophidian’s Promise” is more than a public artwork, it is a symbol of rebirth and renewal and a promise to caring for the Jukskei River. Through its use of upcycled materials and community collaboration, it bridges the gap between past neglect and future hope, embodying the convergence of art, nature, and local engagement.
This bridge has sparked important conversations and debates, emphasising the cultural and spiritual significance of water, and encouraging a deeper connection and respect for the river. The installation has also spurred widespread environmental awareness, motivating other artists and environmentalists to actively engage with the river. As the WFTF curator of the art along the river, I am committed to nurturing more creative projects that advance art activism. The ongoing discourse surrounding water resilience and environmental art highlights the transformative power of creative expression in promoting sustainable practices and community involvement.
Community engagement and environmental education play a pivotal role in the success of Water for the Future. Makandal dedicated Ophidian’s Promise to the late director of Water For The Future, Lungi Hlatshwayo, whose involvement was pivotal in involving youth and children in WFTF programs, ensuring that the next generation understands the importance of environmental stewardship. This focus on education is crucial in fostering a culture of sustainability, belonging and resilience within the community and in relationship to this significant river in the city.
The removal of invasive alien plants is another critical aspect of WFTF’s rehabilitation strategy but also educates the community about the importance of biodiversity and sustainable practices.
When asked how the future looks for WFTF, Romy said “Looking ahead, Water for the Future aims to expand its impact through collaborations and increased community involvement. The impact of Water for the Future (WFTF) extends beyond environmental restoration, creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout the community and the country. Through our partnership with SUNCASA, we have created one of the first projects in Africa to scale out nature-based solutions for catchment health, significantly improving hydrological outcomes in Johannesburg. The removal of alien invasive species is a crucial step in this process, ensuring that more water is available in the city’s catchments”.
In conclusion, Romy continues: “ The upcoming projects with the Canadian Global Affairs and the International Institute of Sustainable Development promise to bring more green technologies and sustainable designs to the Jukskei River restoration efforts”. Alserkal Advisory’s Global Co-Commission project of commissioning sustainable environmental art was a step in that direction. With the ideal situation of the Jukskei River and the support of Water For The Future as the perfect ally in piloting such a project.
The revival of the Jukskei River is far from over. In many ways, WFTF is only at the start of this important endeavour to care for the river. With ambitious plans for further restoration and community engagement, whether through volunteering, supporting educational initiatives, or facilitating environmental art, every action counts in restoring this vital lifeline to its future glory.
Further Reading
“When two women set out to clean Johannesburg’s dirtiest river” World Economic Forum, 24 February 2021,
“The challenges of urban river restoration and the proposition of a framework towards river restoration goals,” Journal of Cleaner Production vol 316, 20 September 2021, 128330
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652621025440
Johannesburg’s shitty little river: faecal discourse and discontent regarding the Jukskei b https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02533952.2024.2320577#abstract
Water for the Future (WFTF): The official website of WFTF, detailing their ongoing projects, mission, and ways to get involved.
Victoria Yards: a key partner in the WFTF project and site of Lo Makandal’s “Ophidian’s Promise” installation.
Alserkal Advisory: Information on the Global Co-Commission project and other art initiatives spearheaded by Alserkal Advisory.
SUNCASA: Focuses on nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation, with specific projects in Johannesburg, including the Jukskei River.