DAY 3 - 7Oct
Clive Chipkin gave us a brief history of the City of Joburg with the use of maps. He included some historical origins of the Jukskei in conjunction with the Braamfontein Spruit.
He referred to the Jukskei origins more as a ditch,donga or seasonal spruit.The situation present is due to urbanisation and canalisation of the spruit. Canalisation happened because a need arose to control the water.
The source of the Jukskei is Ellis Park stadium,where water sinks into the ground and collects as a little spring. Chipkin said from the Bezuidenhout Farm the Jukskei bends round Linksfield, Gilloolys farm and swings to the North and then joins with the Braamfontein spruit (being the second major spruit) ,at the Braamfontein Station, and the crocodile river passing through the cussion Mountains (ie. Magaliesburg mountains) towards the Hartebeestpoort Dam.
Dr Deanne Drake from the Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences (APES) told us about their research conducted at the Jukskei. Their study is called the Matowanyika study where Phd students from Wits APES department are sent to the Jukskei in Alex to monitor the levels of E.Coli on a monthly basis. This needs to be done for sustainability and continuity.It was interesting to note that the Zoo Lake area showed an amount of 2800 mg/ml and the Buccleuch area showed in access of 100 000mg/ml. She also made reference to the SA Water Act(1998).
The long-term effects of E.Coli lead to Cholera and Hepatitis with symptoms such as headache, nausea, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.
Other research interests include the Psychological impacts of urban green spaces (ie the benefits of green spaces).
The effectiveness of wetlands in sequestering pollution and the “Restoration” approaches for the Jukskei.
Paula Fray from Inter-Press Services (IPS) told us about the Water Monitoring Project. She explained how to tell water stories. She covered three main aspects, the impact (how does it affect us), the accuracy(working with experts) and the human face or human interest stories.
IPS also does in-depth coverage of the diverse range of water-related issues in Southern Africa linking water to the economic development, social well-being and environmental protection. The Southern Water Works (SWW) is an initiative of IPS Africa, it is a tool for the regional water sector programme- a SADC initiative funded by Danida (ie the Danish Government)
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