Franschhoek to Cape Town

Journey of Water Day 1 was billed as “epic.” Overkill? Hardly. The walk today was a major physical challenge that pushed the team to its limits - but the beautiful Berg River and Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve rewarded every step with amazing scenery.

Before setting off, the team was treated to some perspective on the landscape. Aquatic ecologist Jackie King reminded us that human civilisation developed around water sources. Then, as populations grew and we needed to do more with water, we built dams, pipes and canals.

“Eventually, we realised these dams were taking away the lifeblood of the river, just as if you withheld food from a person...”

Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and to the era of dam building. Enormous structures were constructed and, while billions of people benefitted, the consequences were often catastrophic for rivers. Eventually, we realised these dams were taking away the lifeblood of the river, just as if you withheld food from a person, says King. The more we change the natural pattern of a river, the unhealthier it becomes.

We have to find a balance, says King. The Berg River Dam represents a new type of dam - one designed to mimic the river’s natural patterns and maintain that balance between society’s demands and nature’s needs. King says this effort to build a river-friendly dam was the first of its kind at the time. With this understanding of the dam’s unique characteristics, the group set out on the day’s 25 km journey of water.

Along the way, we saw the bleached trunks of felled pines. The catchment had once been dedicated to forestry, but the alien tree species were sucking up Cape Town’s water. There’s an ongoing effort to remove alien plants, and Christo Marais of Working for Water explained why.

“Simply put, that’s the story of water. We saw a lot of water today, and a lot of nature. Not a tap in sight - because, as we know, water doesn’t come from a tap.”

“The biggest losses to invasive alien plants are happening in the most critical catchments. If we leave these species unchecked, we could lose 16 per cent of our water resources,” says Marais. “This is water we lose from our taps.”

The public can get involved by using less water more efficiently, he says. Patrick Shone of Cape Nature gave the team a few final inspirational words before they ascended Jonkershoek Nek.

“Cape Nature tries to manage these mountains for water. That’s our core function. We look after the ecosystems, and the ecosystems look after the water.”

Simply put, that’s the story of water. We saw a lot of water today, and a lot of nature. Not a tap in sight - because, as we know, water doesn’t come from a tap.