The River That Binds Us | Die Strome Wat Ons Bind - a PRG Societas project

In collaboration with The Health Promoters & the Legacy Centre (Kayamandi).
Made possible by Investec.
21 October '23 was a special day for Paul Roos Gymnasium’s outreach initiative, Societas. In 2023 Societas took hands with Investec - making it possible for Societas to not only build on existing projects, but to launch new projects that will ensure a greater positive impact on the community.
“The River That Binds Us” is a natural outcome of PRG’s longstanding dedication towards the upkeep and conservation of the Eerste River. Paul Roosers are known for their collaboration with the Stellenbosch Trail Fund when it comes to the cleaning of the river banks and the introduction of indigenous trees along its beautiful banks. “The River That Binds Us” places a much-needed emphasis on the impact diverse communities (all with their own historical, cultural and socio-economic circumstances) alongside the river, have on the river’s health. The project accentuates how segregation between these communities negatively impacts the ecological welfare of the river and subsequently so the health of humans and animals living by the river too.
In light of this, Societas took hands with visual artist and Social Impact Art Prize (SIAP) winner, Abri de Swardt. After creative conversations with Abri de Swardt PRG decided to launch an awareness campaign among Paul Roos Gymnasium and Kaymandi high school learners - with the intent of inspiring greater collaboration between these two communities. A second purpose is to entice learners from other schools and communities who frequent the river to join this conservation project. Societas aims to invite community members, organisations and companies with an interest in the conservation of the Eerste River, to support this project and to contribute towards the cause in either time, skill or funds in 2024.
The Health Promoters (THP) is a non-profit organisation in Kayamandi which works to break the longstanding ties between poverty and illness. THP agreed to act as correspondent between PRG and Kayamandi’s high school learners.
Thirty Kayamandi learners, Health Promoters representatives George Arrey and Regina Eggink, PRG Societas, PRG staff, Dr Charon Büchner-Marais (Stellenbosch University and CED of CoGo), Unathi Msophi (Stellenbosch Trail Fund) and Brigadier General Farouk Davids (Faure Community leader) spent a hole day next to the Eerste River. They travelled from Paul Roos Gymnasium to Macassar where the river runs into the ocean. The last stop was in Stellenbosch where the learners walked to the point where the Plankenburg and Eerste Rivers meet and flow together as one. The outing was concluded with a complimentary lunch at the Rupert Museum. The lunch was sponsored by the Social Impact Arts Prize. Here learners reflected on their observations during the day.
All attendees received a certificate - which doubles as a pledge towards the conservation of the river and a promise to raise awareness among their communities, accentuating everyone’s responsibility towards the improvement and maintenance of a better Eerste River.
PRG Productions learners documented the outing and edited this promotional video to invite schools, communities and business leaders to join “The River That Binds Us” project in 2024. The PRG and Kayamandi learners will come together under professional guidance in 2024 to build on their ideas in order to implement a practical and safe to execute project. The Paul Roos learners gained new insight into the importance of societal integration and collaboration in order to make a real and longstanding impact. This initiative was made possible by Investec.
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