In the wake of heightened illegal mining activities that is continually threatening African livelihoods and resources, it is important to highlight the essence of clean water bodies. Rivers in Africa are the first to be affected by pollution. Drone shots across various regions in Africa, for instance, Ghana, shows metres and metres of brown snake-like movement; the remnant of what was once blue and pure rivers.
In 2017, the Water Resources Commission cited 60% of the country’s waterbodies as polluted due to illegal mining. When ‘galamsey’ as it is popularly known as strikes, not only do rivers suffer, but surrounding vegetation as well. Illegal mining has led to the degradation of many of Ghana’s green forests and other vegetation in the last four years. To create awareness on the sacredness of clean water, the African Wave presents a quick fact sheet of some of Africa’s popular rivers, based on their prominence and other cultural significance.
The river Nile is the longest African river, spanning approximately 6650 kilometres according to Statista. Some scholars even argue that it might be the longest or second longest in the world, contesting with the Amazon river. Although the river passes through about eleven countries, it is the primary source of water to Egypt, as well as Sudan and South of Sudan. For centuries, the Nile has served significant religious, economic and social purposes for these countries, especially in agriculture and fishing. The Nile traces its source to the White Nile and Blue Nile; two smaller rivers that can be traced to Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia respectively.
The Congo river is the second longest river in Africa, being a major river that crosses the equator twice. Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean from Central Africa, it is a source of hydroelectric power as well as a major transportation route. Despite this fact, only about 2.5% of its full potential has been realised by DR Congo. Due to its position on the equatorial belt, the Congo river is popular for its powerful and unsteady rapids, as well as its remoteness and difficulty to access due to the thick wildlife that surrounds it. Many water vessels have been capsized, trying to navigate the river.
The Zambezi river, meaning 'great river' in the Tonga tongue is a beautiful river that runs its course from South-Central Africa into the Indian Ocean. The Victoria falls, a popular and one of the world's largest falls, flows into the Zambezi river. The Kariba Dam, which provides electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe, is built on the Zambezi river.
River Orange is South Africa's longest river, and the fifth longest in Africa. It also serves as a natural boundary between South Africa and Namibia. It's course is surrounded with fresh vegetation, making it an economic and irrigation source for the population in that area. Its name was derived from its supposedly orange colour, named in 1779 by Dutch explorer Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon. It is a historic river in South Africa, as some of the country's first diamonds were found in its alluvial deposits.
The Limpopo river is a popular river in literature and traditional folklore. Otherwise known as the crocodile river, poets like Rudyard Kipling have described the river as 'great, grey-green and greasy'. It passes through Southern Africa, and through countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The river is also historic due to its significance as a trade route into India by the Indian Ocean. It borders the Kruger National park
Although the Volta river is only the twelfth longest river in Africa, it has gained prominence for many economic reasons. Finding it's source from the Black, Red and white Volta rivers, it's main basin falls within Ghana and Burkina Faso. The Akosombo Dam; Ghana's primary source of electricity, is built on the Volta River. The river derived its name from its twisty nature; being first realised by some Portuguese gold miners in colonial times.
There are even more iconic rivers in Africa, from the Niger River, Cubango River, Senegal River, Kasai River, Gambia River and the Benue River to Ubangi River and Chari River, Webi Jubba River, Cestos River and the Uele. These rivers have served as century years of being primary water sources for the countries whose course they ran, as well as providing economic values.Despite these facts, rivers in Africa today flow with neglect, pollution and exploitation. Protecting waterbodies has not only become an environmental necessity but a moral responsibility, one that every African should uphold for generations to come.
Featured image: Photo by Catia Dombaxe on Unsplash
