Let the river RUN

FOR PADDLER JANET

SIMPKINS, CANOEING

AND NATURE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A PASTIME – THEY ARE A MEANS

FOR CHANGE, WRITES KATIA BENEDETTI

Canoeing has always been an important part of Janet Simpkins’ life. Introduced to the sport at a school-going age, over the years her passion for paddling naturally led her to take a special interest in the conservation and development of the landscapes and communities that surround South Africa’s rivers. Currently also working part-time for Canoeing South Africa as its National Development Co-ordinator, Janet helps to bring the sport to many South Africans who otherwise would not have access to it.

As a mother of three, Janet is also particularly concerned about the world we will be leaving our children. Her journey in water and river conservation started in earnest at the beginning of 2019, when she and two like-minded friends set up Save Our Rivers, an organisation whose aim was to create awareness around the health of our rivers and co-ordinate projects to protect them.

Save Our Rivers’ first corporate sponsor was Johannesburg-based outdoor advertising company, ADreach, whose MD, Brad Fisher, is also a Dusi Canoe Marathon regular. After Brad became severely ill due to the extremely high E. coli count in the Umgeni, ADreach partnered with Save Our Rivers in launching an investigation and collaboration to explore whether it would be possible to make bigger changes along the Dusi-Umgeni river catchment region. As part of the project, Janet was then tasked with managing a pilot cleanup team at the Umgeni River mouth that was fully sponsored by the corporate.

The impact of the team was significant, as they made a noticeable difference in the removal of solid waste washed downstream, preventing it and volumes of plastic from entering the ocean. Following the huge success of the team’s threemonth trial period, ADreach furthered sponsorship for another six months, taking their work up to the end of the Dusi Canoe Marathon in February 2020.

Not only do initiatives such as this make a noticeable difference to the landscape and water quality, but they also create much needed employment opportunities

ABOVE: Every two weeks, 350 to 400 collected and stockpiled bags are moved from the north bank to south bank to facilitate collection. RIGHT: Janet also works with iSchool Africa, an initiative that brings technology to township and rural schools. FAR RIGHT: Emmanuel Dlomo – aka Rasta – is the oldest member of the team.

It was at this time too that Janet moved on from the Save Our Rivers organisation to set up her own initiative known as Adopt-a-River. “I am so very grateful for what I learnt during my time with Save Our Rivers,” explains Simpkins, who felt strongly that the information and contacts gathered during her time there could not be put to waste. Adopt-a-River came into being in March this year, with ADreach once again coming on board as the main corporate sponsor of the Blue Lagoon team, extending their commitment as a corporate to communities, conservation and making a difference.

“Adopt-a-River is just one of many organisations working in river conservation, but the difference for me is that now there is a constant presence along the river,” explains Janet. Not only do initiatives such as this make a noticeable difference to the landscape and water quality, but they also create much needed employment opportunities. The members of the current team all come from a settlement upstream and are not only making a living through the initiative, but also being trained and educated in conservancy work through the Umgeni Estuary Conservancy.

“I would love to see more corporates adopt teams not only along the Umgeni, but other rivers across the country. There are so many rivers that are crying out for this kind of intervention and by having more teams and eyes and ears on the ground, issues can be dealt with faster,” says Janet – who is a teacher by profession and taught in primary schools until life got too busy. “I am fortunate to contract on occasion to iSchool Africa – a division of Think Ahead. I get to assist with iPad roll-outs in mainly rural schools and some special needs centres too,” says Janet.

Nowadays she finds running an easier, and quicker, exercise option. “I completed Comrades in 2019 and committed to running again this year with my two sisters and brother, before it was cancelled due to Covid. We are hoping to all run together in 2021.”

Janet also loves a good book and travelling. “I have been fortunate to meet up with my family, now all living overseas, when they fly me over every couple of years.” But her absolute favourite place is Underberg. “The cleanest river and the greenest landscape, in summer, is so good for the soul.” * FOR MORE INFO 083 288 0091; adoptariversa@gmail.com; Facebook: @riveradopt