magalies waterlatest news & developments
Water hyacinths at the Hartebeersport dam. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

A 50-year seed bank and tiny hoppers: Hartbeespoort’s water hyacinth battle

Tiny biocontrol insects, released by the Centre for Biological Control, are preventing flowering and suppressing growth — a long-term solution to South Africa’s most problematic aquatic invasive plant

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
A highly invasive weed now covers the entire Vaalkop Dam. (Photos: Centre for Biological Control)

New water crisis threatens as invasive plants overrun North West’s Vaalkop Dam

The dam is the main source of water for drinking, agriculture and industry, but officials have been ‘ignoring’ the problem since 2017

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Water hyacinth, native to South America, is described as the world’s worst aquatic weed. It thrives in nutrient-enriched waters like Hartbeespoort Dam, forming dense impenetrable mats that affect boating, fishing and water sport activities and harms aquatic biodiversity. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Tiny bugs reduce water hyacinth on Hartbeespoort Dam to 5%

Biological control is effective but the real solution would be to fix wastewater treatment plants in Joburg and Pretoria and stop sewage spills

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read