Page 8 - Waterfall City Issue 6 June 2024

Waterfall City News

DELOITTE RIVER

CLEAN-UP DAY

L ast month, Waterfall City clean-up event for the Jukskei River protective gear, with WCMC working
Management Company
that runs through the development.
closely with us to ensure our people’s
(WCMC) joined forces with
safety and provide insights and
Deloitte to host a clean-up
efficient and effective,” says Barrett.
event of the mighty Jukskei River. “Cleaning up a river like the Jukskei guidance for the clean-up to be
is an important opportunity for our
The event, which was a belated people to learn about the negative
celebration of the International Day impacts of waste entering water In addition to the waste collected, the
of Action For Rivers, commemorated bodies and to play our part in clean-up also removed 12m of alien
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annually in March, helped create addressing and tackling the issue and invasive plant species from the
awareness of just some of our head-on,” says Ryan Barrett, Assistant river. These will be used to supplement
resourceful environmental initiatives, Manager in Sustainability and Chief the local compost site at Waterfall City.
like the wetland rehabilitation of Staff for Sustainability, Climate
project, as reported in the February and Equity at Deloitte. “We had 150 Broader community impact
edition of Waterfall City Magazine. people from all parts of our business, Barrett believes sustainability issues are
bringing their unique experiences ‘we’ problems requiring ‘we’ solutions.
“Waterfall City incorporates and strengths together, from
sustainable principles as part of graduates to Senior Directors and “We must continue collaborating
our development philosophy,” says even the Managing Director of the with partners like WCMC to see
Ruan Spies, Environmental Manager Risk Advisory business, join in to help meaningful change. This is only a start
at Waterfall City Management clean-up the waste.” but will become part of a broader
Company (WCMC). “People who see conversation. Organisations need to
rivers from a distance would like to For logistical reasons, the clean-up take it upon themselves to make an
imagine pristine waters and thriving occurred at the Buccleuch part of the impact. Of course, individuals must
fauna and flora. Sadly, the reality river, on Waterfall City’s outskirts. Even also understand the influence of our
has been very different for several so, it highlights the importance of collective decisions on water bodies,
years concerning the Jukskei River. preventing litter and other waste from biodiversity, and fauna and flora,” he
Awareness initiatives are often crucial impacting downstream communities. adds.
when overcoming challenges such
as dilapidated water courses. The There are many contributing factors The partnership with Deloitte is just
clean-up event with Deloitte was a that realised the pollution troubles of one example of how Waterfall City
great way to provide many people the Jukskei River as is the case with continues to form alliances to realise
with first-hand experience regarding many other rivers in South Africa. a circular economy, a cornerstone of
the nature and scale of litter, sewage With this in mind the clean-up served sustainability.
pollution and invasive plant species its purpose of public education as
in our waterways.” opposed to addressing the root causes, “We hope these events will
which in turn alludes to more long- continue to grow awareness of our
Volunteering for change term relationships with interested and environmental efforts and how
Once a year, Deloitte organises a affected parties. working with different stakeholders
Volunteer Day across Africa for is essential to making a meaningful
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its more than 7,500 professionals. “We packed 10m of rubbish in difference,” says Spies. “This campaign
This day comprises various events the few hours our people spent with Deloitte highlights the need
contributing to impactful initiatives there. While this is just a drop in for broader collaboration and
focused on agriculture, education, the bucket, Deloitte will continue for strengthening public-private
and entrepreneurship. With their working with Waterfall City to impact partnerships to establish lasting and
head office based in Waterfall City, our community positively. Deloitte positive impacts on local communities
this year they embarked on a river provided the teams with bags and and the environment.”

6 Waterfall City Issue 6 2024