Grabouw businesses unite to clean Swannie River

By Lucille Botha

In recognition of Clean-Up and Recycle Month, three leading Grabouw businesses – Two-A-Day, Oude Molen Distillery, and Western Cape Fruit Processors – have partnered to tackle pollution in the local Swannie River, a vital water source for the community and surrounding farmlands.

The initiative, which kicked off on Monday, 15 September, will run for 14 weeks at a cost of approximately R200,000. Six workers from G&P Transport and Maintenance have been appointed to carry out the clean-up, equipped with protective gear and tools to remove waste safely.

“We cross the river every day on our way to work, and it is heartbreaking to see the plastic, tyres, and even nappies that pollute it,” says Jandré Human, winemaker at Oude Molen Distillery.

The targeted stretch of river, between Oude Molen and the local pump station, is expected to yield several tonnes of plastic and other waste. The Swannie River flows into the Palmiet River, which eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean south of Kleinmond, meaning the project has a broader environmental impact that extends beyond Grabouw.

Last year, a minor clean-up by Oude Molen removed 38 tonnes of plastic. This year, in a more sustainable approach, collected plastic will not be sent to the landfill but instead will be delivered to Beautiful Star Recycling and Projects for resale.

Environmental risk

The pollution poses a significant risk to both the environment and agriculture. Microplastics can infiltrate soil, while discarded plastic bags frequently clog irrigation water pumps.

Chris Petzer, Group Operations Director at Two-A-Day, says the project is not only about environmental protection but also about the town’s reputation and well-being.
“The accumulation of rubbish, inadequate waste management, and the general lack of tidiness in the town are having a detrimental effect on the image of Grabouw,” he explains.

Petzer believes that cleaner surroundings will have lasting benefits.
“It is essential to sustaining investor confidence, promoting tourism, and fostering community pride. Everything that happens in Grabouw impacts our employees, who in turn influence our business. If we lift the standards in the community, it has a direct effect on our people and, eventually, the company.”

Two-A-Day has also called for more substantial involvement from the Theewaterskloof municipality.
“We have written to our local municipality, asking them to play a bigger role in tackling areas where high levels of pollution have become the norm,” says Petzer. “The health of our water sources is essential. Much of our irrigation water comes from the Swannie River, and if we don’t protect it, the impact will be felt all the way down to the farm level. Our producers depend on clean, good-quality water to grow apples and pears of the highest standard.”

Setting an example for other businesses

While the river clean-up may feel like a small step, it’s something meaningful citizens can do to make a difference, Human believes. “We hope this initiative inspires other businesses and communities to take action in uplifting the environment. Clearing the river is a short-term solution, but we are already in discussions with the municipality and other stakeholders about long-term measures.”

This collaboration highlights the role local businesses can play in addressing environmental challenges, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect South Africa’s rivers and farmlands.

“As a shareholder in Two-A-Day and the company responsible for marketing its fruit globally, we at Tru-Cape know that healthy rivers and clean water are essential for both the environment and the farming communities who depend on them,” says Roelf Pienaar, Managing Director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing. “We are especially proud of the leadership that Two-A-Day is showing in this initiative. It proves that when businesses collaborate, we can make a tangible and lasting difference. Protecting our natural resources not only safeguards the future of farming but also strengthens the communities and ecosystems that support it.”

For more information, please get in touch with Lucille Botha at lucilleb@tru-cape.co.za

Caption:

Two-A-Day, along with Oude Molen Distillery and Western Cape Fruit Processors, have funded a team of six workers to clean up plastic and other rubbish in the Swannie River in Grabouw.