Pictured above: WESSA X Engie – International Day for Biodiversity at Sedi-Laka Primary School
On 22 May 2026, WESSA joined Engie, educators and 120 learners at Sedi-Laka Primary School in Thembisa, Gauteng, to mark International Day for Biodiversity through practical environmental action.
Aligned with the 2026 theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact”, the day gave learners an opportunity to explore the importance of South Africa’s indigenous biodiversity while actively contributing to a greener, more educational school environment.
Learning through action
The school grounds became a hands-on learning space as learners participated in indigenous greening and food-growing activities.
Together, the learners, teachers, Engie representatives and WESSA staff planted:
- 15 indigenous trees
- Five fruit trees
- 20 trays of vegetable seedlings
- 30 indigenous succulents in a tyre garden
Pictured above: Engie staff & Sedi-Laka Primary learners creating a new succulent garden, including painting tyres to host the new plants
Each activity offered an opportunity for learners to build practical skills. They learnt about the value of indigenous biodiversity, the benefits of succulents, how to plant and care for trees, and how to grow their own food by planting seedlings.
Planting the seeds of environmental responsibility
Beyond the plants added to the school grounds, the day was about nurturing a deeper understanding of the natural world.
By identifying indigenous trees and succulents and learning how to care for them, learners strengthened their knowledge of South Africa’s biodiversity. Working together also encouraged teamwork, responsibility and positive behaviour change around biodiversity conservation.
The new trees, seedlings and succulents will help support the development of a greener school environment where learners can continue to observe, care for and learn from nature.
Pictured above: Learners engaged in gardening & tree planting
Local action with lasting value
International Day for Biodiversity is a reminder that environmental stewardship does not only take place in distant natural spaces. It can begin in a school garden, through a newly planted tree or in the hands of a learner discovering how to grow food.
Through partnerships such as this one with Engie, WESSA continues to support practical environmental learning that empowers young people to take meaningful action in their own communities.
By acting locally, schools can help grow a more biodiverse and environmentally conscious future.
Pictured above: Engie staff & Sedi-Laka Primary School learners celebrating a successful day of planting initiatives