Hyacinth at Hartbeespoort Dam signals the slow death of our environment

AT Hartebeespoort Dam, a tranquil body of water that once served as a vital resource for wildlife and local communities has been plagued by an invasive, rapidly-spreading menace: the water hyacinth.

This vibrant yet destructive plant has transformed the dam into a hazardous, stagnant swamp. What was once a serene landscape of biodiversity is now a scene of environmental devastation.

The vastly pervasive hyacinth that has enthralled the once-open waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West has been attributed to the pollutants that vitiate the waters and has been a consistent challenge since the 1960s.

The hyacinth plant, which stretched hundreds of metres into the dam and can rise well over a metre in height, is distinguished by its rapid growth rate. In fact, the water hyacinth has plagued waters as far-reaching as Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.

The Department of Water and Sanitation, the National Research Foundation, and Rhodes University are leading the latest attempts to tackle the invasive weeds at the (affectionately named) Harties Dam.

Weevils, a type of long-snout beetle that are distinguishably inclined to moist environments, are being released into the dam as a biological control agent, aiming to suppress the growth and reproduction of water hyacinth. Weevils feed on the leaves and damage the stems of water hyacinth and are an age-old strategy to grappling with hyacinth infestations.

Graeme Peplar, the Ward Councillor for Hartbeespoort Dam, has clearly stated that although the (weevil) beetles are helpful, they are certainly not a fast-working solution to this problem. He further emphasised the need to produce alternative and expeditious solutions for the rampant hyacinth infestation.

Of course, the rapidly-growing weeds have great implications for the resort town of Harties, with the dam being the foremost attraction in the area. This has also seriously impeded the recreational water activities in the area, which directly impacts businesses and economic stability in Harties.

In a recent interview with eNCA, Peplar further emphasised the dangers that are posed by the severely growing roots of the hyacinth, particularly for those who continue to engage in water activities despite the infestation.

The unchecked proliferation of this aquatic weed is not only a testament to the dangerous consequences of environmental neglect but also a stark warning of the perils of ignoring the critical need for sustainable ecological management.

In South Africa, where natural beauty and resources are intertwined with the nation's identity, we are witnessing the dire consequences of failing to prioritise environmentalism. The hyacinth infestation at Harties Dam is not just a local problem; it is emblematic of a larger, more insidious crisis that threatens the future of our natural ecosystems.

The water hyacinth infestation at the Harties Dam is certainly intersectional with the challenges around water pollution in South Africa. Considering our nation’s delicate ecosystems, we need to impose more stringent barriers to large corporations, mines, and other industries that overtly and covertly use the dam as a dumping site for their own profits and interests.

Various types of challenges have been identified in the Harties dam over the last few decades, yet the rapid hyacinth growth shows that these challenges have not been adequately or meaningfully addressed. Issues such as sewage pollution, industrial waste pollution, nuclear waste pollution, and so much more have led to a serious degradation of the water quality, leading to adverse environmental consequences such as the proliferation of water hyacinth and other invasive plant species.

It further impacts the existing ecosystem, as the hyacinth forms dense mats over the water, drastically reducing oxygen levels and sunlight, suffocating native fish and plant life, all while adversely diminishing the water quality.

The hyacinth infestation is not merely an aesthetic issue; it is a clear warning of the growing environmental neglect in the country. The health of our water systems is deteriorating rapidly, and if we continue to ignore these alarming signs, the long-term damage will be irreversible.

This issue has widespread implications for various industries and highlights the blatant issue of ignored environmental practices by industries across our entire society. From agriculture to tourism, the hyacinth infestation has thrown a spanner into the works for various industries that are largely dependent on the dam.

In recent years, water pollution has become one of South Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges. The radical decline in biodiversity and endangering of vital natural resources should be an indication, particularly to the North West province government, of an encompassing problem that needs to be swiftly addressed. In fact, collaborative efforts in addressing this are key to understanding the root causes of the ecological imbalances that result in infestations such as these.

Furthermore, other industries should be highly engaged in addressing this issue. Not only water resource management and environmental consulting, but also agricultural specialists, water biologists, indigenous environmentalists, and more.

Indigenous environmentalism, in particular, underscores the importance of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and practices for sustainable environmental management and conservation. TEK systems draw on generational knowledge about local ecosystems and sustainable practices, which is of the utmost value in situations such as the one faced by the Harties Dam. These collaborations that bridge old knowledge and new scientific innovations are key to meaningfully addressing the hyacinth challenge at the dam.

The North West governance needs to appeal to our legislative leaders in curbing the water pollution that is plaguing the dam. South Africans that have frequented the dam in recent years are fully aware of the overt threat to the ecological system in this area, from extreme pungent smells from the waters to influxes of waste that have piled up on the fringes of the dam—all of which is seemingly ignored. Locals across Hartebeespoort also need to drive forward the plight of environmentalism that is slowly killing the vast waters of Harties Dam.

The unchecked spread of water hyacinth should be a stark reminder of the devastating impacts of water pollution on our nation’s delicate ecosystems. We are risking lost biodiversity, compromised resources, and diminished quality of life. If we continue to turn a blind eye to the growing crisis, the effects will not only harm local communities but will certainly contribute to the broader environmental collapse.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the slow death of our environment. Ignoring the issues of our precious ecosystems today means facing an unsustainable future tomorrow—one where our natural resources may be beyond repair. The time to act is now, before it’s too late.

* Tswelopele Makoe is a gender and social justice activist and the editor at Global South Media Network. She is a researcher and columnist, published weekly in the Sunday Independent, Independent Online (IOL), Global South Media Network (GSMN.co.za), Sunday Tribune and Eswatini Daily News. She is also an Andrew W. Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own.

** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.