Day 1

I could smell the Jukskei river, before I actually saw it.

It had a pungent, rotten fish smell, and the closer I got, the stronger it became. It was pretty nasty.

The visual assault was equally disturbing - dead rats, soiled sanitary pads, discarded clothes and waste floated past. The water was a murky grey.

Despite this, Zaheer decided to stick his hands into the water- not his smartest move.

Luckily our guide Kim Kaiser, from Wet Africa, had disinfectant wipes handy. She told us about the toxicity of the water and the infections that people exposed to it can pick up, also about related-illnesses that have killed members of the community.

This portion of the river is absolutely vile, I will hopefully get pics the next time I go. I don't think that anyone reading this will believe how filthy that river is, unless they can actually see it.

What is also quite shocking, is that a community in Alexandra township have built make-shift shacks on the banks of the river. Hundreds (thousands?) of shacks have literally been built on top of one-another, with any materials that could be found.

The community on the banks of the Jukskei do not have electricity, there are porta-loos and taps available in some parts, but this means that there is one tap and one toilet to share between the inhabitants of 40-50 shacks. There is limited access to the porta-loos, people without access usually defecate in bags and throw them into the river.

Kim told us that officially there are three hundred thousand people living in Alex, but that the number is actually closer to one million.

Many people use the water from the Jukskei for bathing or for washing their clothes. We were told that children from the community often play in the water.

Is the community aware of the dangers? Or is it part and parcel of their existance on the banks of the Jukskei?

With cholora outbreaks, flash floods, hygeine and the dangers posed to the commmunity, there are so many stories that can be told.

I am thinking of doing a story about the contrast between this community in Alex and a community in the wealthier suburbs of Dainfern or Sandton, who live off the river.

There is talk of an upmarket housing estate, that will be built in Dainfern. The people that live here will have exclusive access to the 7km of Jukskei. It will be cleaned up, with promises of hiking trails, bike routes and picnic areas- a stark contrast to what was seen in Alex.

Definitely a story there.



A crazy fact about the river: it is north-flowing but it rises in southern Jo'burg under Ellis Park. That's right under Ellis Park.