Pictured above: Eastern Cape award recipients, educators, learners, WESSA team and guests
Eastern Cape, South Africa – 2 April 2026: Schools across the Eastern Cape have once again demonstrated the power of education to drive meaningful environmental change, as learners and educators were recognised at the WESSA Eco-Schools Awards 2025.
The awards celebrate schools participating in WESSA’s Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes, recognising their commitment to sustainability, environmental learning, and community impact.
This year, 31 schools from across the province were acknowledged for their efforts, spanning participation levels through to prestigious long-term achievement awards.
Pumla Gxuluwe, Deputy Chief Education Specialist at the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape, delivered an address and shared that, “Being part of the WESSA Eastern Cape Awards has reawakened something in me. It took me back to my early days as a young biology teacher where we planted trees and taught learners about the simple miracle of gas exchange – that plants give us oxygen, and we give them carbon dioxide. Back then our trees were stolen and our yards were unfenced, but today I see a new generation of schools and partners who are determined to protect and grow these living classrooms.”
A strong cohort of schools participated in the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme, including Douglas Mbopa High School, Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School, and Walmer Secondary School, highlighting the role of youth voice in environmental storytelling and advocacy.
At foundational levels, schools such as Emafini Primary School, Cape Recife High School, and Qumbu Village Primary School achieved Bronze Awards, marking their growing commitment to embedding sustainability into school life.
Top-performing schools were recognised at the highest levels of the programme, with:
- Mboniselo Public Primary School achieving International Flag status
- Motherwell High School and Mdengentonga Public Primary School earning Platinum Awards
These achievements reflect sustained action, leadership, and measurable environmental impact within school communities.
Celebrating long-term commitment to sustainability
Several schools were honoured for their long-standing participation and consistent excellence in the programme.
Notably:
- Lilyfontein School received the prestigious Emerald Award
- Schools such as Kabega Primary School and Khulile Primary School achieved Silver Decade Awards
- St Francis College reached the milestone of a Platinum 4 Decade Award, marking exceptional long-term commitment
These recognitions highlight the sustained culture of environmental responsibility being built within schools over many years.
Special awards recognise innovation and leadership
In addition to the core awards, several schools were recognised for going beyond programme expectations:
- Woodridge College & Preparatory School received the Ocean Guardian Award (Marine & Coasts) for outstanding marine conservation efforts
- Lilyfontein School was awarded the Clean Commute Award (Transport) for innovative approaches to sustainable transport and environmental awareness
- Qumbu Village Primary School earned the Green Start Award 2025, recognising exceptional progress in its first year, including establishing an eco-club and a food garden supporting the school nutrition programme
Building a generation that leads change
Through Eco-Schools, WESSA continues to support schools across South Africa in embedding sustainability into everyday learning, while building environmental leadership among learners and educators.
“This programme shows our learners that environmental education is not just a subject in a textbook, it is a way of life that demands commitment, creativity, and community. I leave this event inspired, grateful, and more convinced than ever that when we invest in young people and the environment together, we are planting the strongest roots for the Eastern Cape’s future,” adds Gxuluwe.
As WESSA celebrates its 100th year, the work of these schools reflects a growing national movement – one where education is not only shaping awareness but driving measurable environmental action.
Full list of awarded schools and categories (Top achievements first)
Emerald Award: Lilyfontein School
Decade Awards (Long-term commitment)
- Platinum 4 Decade: St Francis College
- Platinum 2 Decade: Dumani Public Primary School
- Platinum 1 Decade: Seyisi Primary School
- Silver Decade
- Kabega Primary School
- Khulile Primary School
- Bronze Decade
- Woodridge Preparatory & College
- Vukanibantu Primary School
Platinum Awards
- Platinum 4: Collegiate Junior School for Girls
- Platinum 3
- St Colmcille Secondary School
- Empumalanga Primary School
- Elufefeni Primary School
- Platinum 2: Canzibe Primary School
- Platinum 1
- Motherwell High School
- Mdengentonga Public Primary School
International Flag: Mboniselo Public Primary School
Green Flag: Enkwenkwezini Primary School
Bronze Awards:
- Emafini Primary School
- Cape Recife High School
- Qumbu Village Primary School
Participation – Eco-Schools
- Carinus Primary School
- Woolhope Secondary School
Participation – Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)
- Douglas Mbopa High School
- Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School
- Coselelani Secondary School
- Cowan High School
- James Jolobe Secondary School
- Khumbulanei High School
- Lungiso Secondary School
- Masiphathisane Senior Secondary School
- Walmer Secondary School