From youth arts to environmental projects, Riverside CID's CSI programme is making a lasting impact in Mpumalanga

The programme focuses on six key areas: health, literacy and education, community development, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and social upliftment. These focus areas guide investments in projects that address local needs and create meaningful, lasting impact.

Whether investing in the arts, protecting the environment, supporting literacy, promoting animal welfare or strengthening community wellbeing, Riverside CID remains committed to creating opportunities that make a meaningful difference. By investing in our Riverside area, as well as in people and projects with lasting impact, the organisation continues to build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.

The Riverside City Improvement District (CID) is a registered non-profit organisation responsible for managing and promoting a 3.9 km² geographical area nestled between the Crocodile and Nels Rivers in Mbombela. The Riverside Precinct encompasses the commercial hub of Riverside Park, the thriving business community of Riverside Industrial, and the natural beauty of the Riverside Reserve, together forming one of the city's most dynamic business, recreational, and lifestyle destinations.
Guided by a mandate from local stakeholders, the CID works in partnership with residents, schools, businesses, service providers, community groups and local government to enhance, maintain, and promote the Riverside Precinct.

As a City Improvement District, we are committed to improving the safety, cleanliness, and overall liveability of the Riverside Precinct. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, we help ensure that the Riverside Precinct remains a well-connected destination, welcoming residents and visitors alike, supporting business growth, hosting exciting events, promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring future developments.

As a connector, facilitator, and enabler of positive change, we bring people together to create lasting value for the community. Our vision is for the Riverside Precinct to continue flourishing as a safe, clean, green, vibrant, and sustainable place to live, work, visit, and invest.

In 2026, Riverside CID also supported the Indigo Smiles Autism Foundation through a financial donation to assist children with autism and their families, and we will also be supporting GRIP with a special Mandela Day project.

Bringing together 28 presenters, five productions, 18 participating schools, and renowned industry professionals who shared their knowledge and experience with aspiring young artists.

Summary of Riverside’s sponsorship:

• Full scholarships given to 18 pupils from Mbombela schools
• Four teachers sponsored from Mbombela schools
• Partial scholarships given to 10 NPOs
• Partial scholarships given to 47 pupils from various schools

We are proud to share that we’ve donated R10 000 to the South African National Parks Honorary Rangers in support of the flood recovery efforts at Kruger National Park

Recent flooding has had a significant impact on infrastructure, wildlife habitats, and conservation operations within the park. The Honorary Rangers play a vital role in supporting SANParks through fundraising and hands-on assistance, helping to ensure that one of South Africa’s most treasured natural spaces can recover and continue its important conservation work.

We are honoured to contribute to these restoration efforts and to stand alongside those working tirelessly to protect our country’s natural heritage.

Thank you to everyone who supports us — your support allows us to give back where it matters most. Together, we can help preserve our wildlife and national parks for generations to come.

One of the Riverside CID’s flagship CSI projects is the Riverside Litterboom, which aims to install and maintain floating litterbooms at strategic rivers and waterways throughout the region

Floating litterbooms provide a simple, proven and highly cost-effective solution by intercepting waste before it travels downstream. Riverside CID in partnership with Green Guru Solutions has been operating and maintaining the Crocodile River litterboom since January 2026.

Riverside aims to expand this programme by installing litterbooms at additional strategic rivers, streams and stormwater outfalls across the Crocodile and Nels River. Each additional litterboom becomes a new Riverside CID Project, delivering measurable environmental benefits while contributing towards a cleaner, healthier region. Through collaboration with municipalities, businesses, environmental organisations and community partners, the vision is to establish a connected network of litterbooms that protects our waterways and demonstrates the power of collective environmental action

These litterbooms protects rivers and ecosystems in Mbombela by intercepting plastic and litter before it flows downstream. By tackling pollution upstream, we safeguard our rivers, wildlife, and the Indian Ocean.