Johannesburg is the largest city in the world not situated on a river, lake or coastline. Where most settlers followed the water to secure their futures, it was the abundant gold reserves rather than a reliable water supply that brought people here. But contrary to the popular myth that it has no waters of its own to speak of, Johannesburg is home to the Witwatersrand – or ridge of white waters – so named for the several rivers that flow through the gold-bearing ridge and tumble down into white frothing waterfalls over its northern edge.

The Jukskei is just one of these rivers. Rising from under the concrete and asphalt of Ellis Park’s sporting complex in the eastern gateway of the city and cutting through Johannesburg’s suburbs and townships, the river flows through the city to join the Crocodile and then Limpopo River, and ultimately spill out into the Indian ocean. But back in Bez Valley, public artist Hannelie Coetzee, is working with the collective Water for the Future to revitalise the upper Jukskei where it opens its first eye.

From curb-cutting to build street-side seating places which double as sustainable urban drainage systems to weaving fences with alien invasive plant species to keep litter from blowing into the Jukskei’s gullies and canals, Hannelie and Water for the Future bring design thinking and public art to respond to the question of how a large city with so little of its own water can redefine its relationship with its rivers and make the most of its water heritage.

For Water For Life – The water podcast tells the extraordinary stories of ordinary people who have made it their life’s mission to preserve, purify and protect South Africa’s water resources. This podcast series is made possible by JoJo – for water, for life.