While mankind has found alternatives to almost all things we use daily, there is no replacement for fresh water. With populations ever increasing, living closer to water sources, and large amounts of fertilizer being used to feed these people, the impact on our freshwater ways is undeniable. Rivers, streams, and dams around Africa are literally having the life choked out of them by an insidious invader that is wreaking havoc on our aquatic ecosystems, but the implications are far graver. What’s at risk is our fresh water, and potentially even the food on our plates. 

The urgency of our fresh water challenges are highlighted by recent developments in legal measures planning to be taken against municipal managers to address the national sewage crisis.

Water hyacinth, native to South America, has proliferated in Loskop Dam due to nutrient-rich waters flowing from the Olifants River. Dense mats of the plant block sunlight and deplete oxygen, destabilizing aquatic ecosystems and threatening native species. 

Starting on Friday, January 10th, key players of the Mpumalanga community came together to tackle the ecological and economic devastation posed by the highly invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Often referred to as South Africa’s worst invasive plant, water hyacinth threatens Loskop Dam and the country’s second-largest agriculture and irrigation scheme. Without sustained intervention, Loskop Dam could face a crisis similar to that of Hartbeespoort Dam, where dense mats of water hyacinth immobilized 30 boats in just a matter of days. 

The Loskop Irrigation Board oversees management of the Loskop Dam and downstream areas, while the Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation is responsible for upstream oversight, ensuring protection against potential pollution-causing activities that could impact ecosystems like the Olifants and Wilge Rivers.

The dam is also a key node in the R1.67 billion Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project, which will supply water to over 130,000 people in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

The Loskop Irrigation Board, WeWild Africa, and several volunteers went beyond their standard operating jurisdiction, using their own funds and resources in multiple capacities.

On Tuesday, January 7, the Loskop Irrigation Council and WeWild Africa visited landowner André Booyens near the old bridge to Witbank to assess the extent of the hyacinth problem. By Thursday, January 9, approximately 120 tons of hyacinths were removed from the area at Presidentsrus, Olifantsrivier Lodge.

Efforts intensified on January 10, when a 200-meter cable was installed across the upper part of the dam where the Olifants River flows in, designed to catch water hyacinths before they could spread further. Additional cables were laid 1.5 km and 3 km upstream from the dam’s inflow on the following days to further contain the spread. Trucks and TL B(tractor loader backhoe) machinery were also deployed to physically remove tons of dead hyacinths, which, if left to sink to the bottom of the dam, deplete oxygen levels and can lead to fish deaths.

Over this weekend, despite cloudy skies and rainstorms, community involvement peaked as over 50 volunteers organized by the Friends of Loskop Dam worked tirelessly, waist-deep in water, to manually remove the plants.

Efforts continued into Sunday when a 40×40 meter area filled with hyacinths was cleared, thanks to the rising water levels from generous rainfall and the opening of locks at nearby Witbankdam and Middelburgdam.

On January 28th, targeted chemical intervention was carried out at Loskop Dam by the WeWild Africa Team. This operation focused on restricted areas heavily afflicted with the plant. The herbicide application, guided by recommendations from Mr. Johan Lindique—the representative from the manufacturing company of Kilomax 700—was methodically executed in areas displaying dense growths along the shoreline and in gullies.

The operation began in the first gully on the right-hand side, extending over the first cable into the Kerkplaas loop on the northern shoreline. The team ensured extreme care to prevent herbicide drift and overspray during the application.

After treating the northern shoreline, the team crossed over and continued spraying past Imbambala up to the cable installed by WeWild/Loskop Irrigation Board. On the southern shore, visible but sparse hyacinth plants were noted; these were deemed manageable through manual removal. However, one gully on the southern shore just before the main cable received chemical treatment.

Additionally, hyacinths within a rope cage inside the dam, an area the team had previously contained, were also sprayed. There are also some plants on the northern shore at Bus Circle, which are targeted for manual removal. On February 5th, an additional follow-up analysis and chemical spray was conducted. 

According to local reports from early February, the presence of water hyacinth in Loskop has decreased to just 1% of its previous extent. However, concerns persist due to the presence of hyacinths outside the reserve in upstream areas like Cilliers, Kings, and as far as Witbank, which are prone to flushing hyacinths down to Loskop during heavy rains.

The Board and WeWild Africa have implemented both immediate and long-term plans to address the water hyacinth issue. In the short term, cables, TLBs, and chemical spraying have been actively deployed to take out the invasive plants for the last month. For the long term, the team is exploring biological control methods, such as a plant-hopper breeding program aimed at biologically controlling and eradicating the hyacinths. Lessons from Hartbeespoort Dam will be used to address the need for sustainable and diversified funding measures to support all facets of the water clean up project.

Over the last month, WeWild Africa has collaborated on the combined strategy of immediate action, long-term biological control strategy, and legal pressure across governmental, private, and NGO sectors, which positions 2025 as a pivotal year for the international rewilding and expansion program at Loskop Dam, which in turn will rehabilitate one of South Africa’s largest freshwater bodies.

A meeting scheduled for March 5th will convene governmental, local, and private stakeholders to discuss revitalizing the Olifants River Forum and strategizing the future actions for the Loskop Dam Water Clean-Up for the decades to come. 

The Loskop Rewilding and Expansion Initiative

The clean-up forms part of the larger Loskop Rewilding and Expansion Project, spearheaded by WeWild Africa in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). This project aims to restore over 100,000 hectares of wilderness, reintroducing the Big Five, and address systemic threats to the dam and its surrounding areas.

Representing WeWild Africa, Wiki West attended the clean-up to document the efforts, aiming to raise awareness among government authorities and the broader community about the need to address the water hyacinth issues.

What else can you do? 

• If you see water hyacinth: Remove it. Even five minutes of effort can prevent exponential growth.
• Report sightings: Notify local authorities.
• Every action matters: The seeds of water hyacinth remain viable for over 20 years, making early intervention critical.

About WeWild Africa

WeWild Africa was founded in 2019 by veteran conservation experts with 100+ years collective experience in wildlife conservation in Africa. We have worked in some of the most challenging places and situations in the world, with a never-give-up mindset. Through partnerships with key stakeholders and committed organisations and reserves, WeWild Africa is able to make decisions quickly and provide seemingly impossible solutions. Since 2019, the organisation has directly impacted over 1000 animals through rescue or rewilding. WeWild Africa, in collaboration with DCM Surfaces and the Wildlife Emergency Fund, supports the third Rhino Rewild operation this year with this translocation to KwaZulu-Natal. For more information visit: www.wewildafrica.com, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Youtube. 

About the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA)

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) is a governmental organization established under the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Act of 2005. Its mission is to grow tourism and manage biodiversity to stimulate sustainable economic growth that is inclusive and creates employment opportunities. The MTPA oversees the management of protected areas across Mpumalanga, ensuring the sustainable utilization of natural resources while promoting conservation, community involvement, and eco-tourism development. For more information, visit www.mpumalanga.com, Facebook, Instragram, and X.

About the Loskop Dam Rewilding and Expansion Project

The Loskop Dam Rewilding and Expansion Project, led by WeWild Africa in partnership with The Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, is one of South Africa’s most ambitious conservation efforts. This historic 25-year management agreement will, in phases, transform over 100,000 hectares of wilderness, reintroducing the Big 5. By addressing decades of ecological decline caused by pollution, poaching, and infrastructure decay, the project also creates jobs, supports local communities, and aligns with global 30×30 biodiversity goals, making it a model for modern public private partnerships in sustainable community conservation.

About the Loskop Irrigation Board

The Loskop Irrigation Board manages one of South Africa’s most significant agricultural schemes, overseeing water distribution across a total farmed area of 43,543 hectares, including 16,090 hectares under irrigation. Renowned for its contribution to agricultural exports, particularly citrus, the scheme plays a vital role in supporting South Africa’s position in international markets. In 2023, farms within the Loskop Irrigation Scheme created nearly 24,000 jobs, underscoring its economic impact and importance to local communities. Committed to sustainable water resource management, the Board ensures the long-term productivity and growth of this vital agricultural hub.

About Friends of Loskop

Friends of Loskop is a dedicated volunteer organization committed to preserving the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, South Africa. They actively participate in the reserve’s daily operations, support environmental education for visiting school groups, and engage in projects focused on the study, breeding, and protection of endangered species native to the area, such as the ground hornbill, black-footed cat, and white rhino. Their efforts include removing alien vegetation, donating essential tools, and maintaining facilities within the reserve.

About the Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation safeguards South Africa’s natural resources through policy enforcement, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and climate change adaptation. Focused on ecosystems like the Olifants River, it ensures water quality, conducts ecological assessments, and addresses pollution and overuse while integrating environmental frameworks and collaborating with stakeholders.