Pictured: Bekezela Primary School and Nelson Mandela Primary School – World Environment Day group photo

For over 70 learners across three schools, World Environment Day became more than an opportunity to learn about the environmental challenges facing their communities. It became a day to act.

“World Environment Day reminds us that creating a sustainable future starts with the choices we make today. Through the Nedbank Eco-Schools Circular Economy Project, learners are not only learning about environmental challenges but are actively becoming part of the solution,” says Nomfundo Ndlovu, Schools & Youth Senior Project Manager, of WESSA.

On 5 June 2026, learners from Bekezela Primary School and Nelson Mandela Primary School in Sasolburg, as well as Keledi High School in the Northwest Province, participated in hands-on environmental activities as part of the Nedbank Eco-Schools Circular Economy Project.

The broader Nedbank Eco-Schools Circular Economy Project currently reaches 10 schools, with five schools participating in the Free State and five in the North West Province.

Planting the seeds of change in Sasolburg

At Bekezela Primary School and Nelson Mandela Primary School, learners explored the connection between biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable living.

The learners created and painted environmental pledge posters, publicly committing to actions that reduce waste, protect natural resources and improve their school and community environments.

 

Pictured above: Top left – Keledi High School showcasing their pledges; right and bottom left: Bekezela Primary School learners creating pledges

They also propagated 30 Spekboom cuttings, gaining practical skills while learning about the role this indigenous plant can play in supporting biodiversity, storing carbon and contributing to climate-change mitigation.

The planting of an indigenous tree added another lasting element to the day’s activities. As the tree grows, it will contribute to a greener learning environment while serving as a visible reminder of the learners’ commitment to caring for the planet.

 

Pictured above (left): Tree planting with learners from Bekezela Primary School and Nelson Mandela Primary School
(right): School clean up at Keledi High School

Turning a clean-up into a lesson in collective responsibility

At Keledi High School in the Northwest Province, learners marked the day by making environmental pledges and participating in a school clean-up campaign, collecting a total of 10 big bags of waste.

The activity encouraged learners to take ownership of their surroundings while learning about responsible waste management and pollution prevention.

By working together to improve their school environment, the learners saw first-hand how individual choices can contribute to cleaner, healthier communities.

Building practical skills for a circular economy

The World Environment Day activities formed part of the broader Nedbank Eco-Schools Circular Economy Project, which connects environmental education with practical action.

Through the project, learners are encouraged to rethink waste, reduce consumption, reuse resources, promote recycling and protect biodiversity. Importantly, they are also learning that waste can be viewed as a resource rather than something to discard.

By collecting recyclable materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and exploring opportunities for income generation through recycling, learners are building skills that can support both environmental and social benefits.

“To date, eight school-based enterprises have been established through the project. Across our eight Nedbank Eco-Schools, learners have collected over 3800 kg of waste for recycling and generated just over R 5000 in income, demonstrating how environmental action can create practical opportunities while contributing to a more circular economy,” adds Senior Programme Manager, Nomfundo Ndlovu.

Small actions with lasting impact

The activities may have taken place on a single day, but their impact extends beyond World Environment Day.

Each Spekboom cutting propagated, each pledge made and each piece of waste removed represents a practical step towards more sustainable schools and communities.

“Through their participation in the WESSA Eco-Schools programme, the learners are developing the knowledge, skills and values needed to become environmental leaders. Their actions are a reminder that building a healthier planet does not always begin with a grand gesture. It often begins with a group of young people choosing to care for the spaces around them – and inspiring others to do the same,” concludes Ndlovu.

Young environmental champions celebrate World Environment Day in Springbok

Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School in Springbok celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm, creativity, and learner participation. The school is part of the eWASA SA Waste Management and Education Project, which supports learners and educators to strengthen waste awareness, recycling practices, and environmental action within their school community.

As part of the programme, learners welcomed a guest speaker from Livestone Recycling, who shared valuable insights on recycling initiatives and the importance of sustainable waste management. The session helped learners understand how everyday waste can be reduced, reused, and recycled to protect the environment.

Creativity on Display

The celebration was filled with creative learner contributions. Learners showcased home-made posters, read environmental poems they had written, and presented musical instruments made from recyclable materials. These activities showed how waste education can be fun, practical, and inspiring.

Recognising Eco-Club Efforts

To acknowledge their dedication, certificates of appreciation were awarded to members of the school’s Eco-Club. The certificates recognised their creativity, commitment, and continued involvement in environmental initiatives at the school.

The day highlighted Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School’s commitment to developing environmental awareness and encouraging learners to take action. Through the support of the eWASA SA Waste Management and Education Project, the school continues to inspire young environmental champions to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Youth Day in Action: Concordia Primary Learners Lead for a Greener Community

In commemoration of Youth Day, learners at Concordia Primary School in the Northern Cape took part in a range of meaningful environmental activities that encouraged practical learning, teamwork, and community service.

The school is part of the eWASA SA Waste Management and Education Project, which supports schools in strengthening waste management practices, environmental awareness, recycling, and learner-led action.

As part of the Youth Day activities, learners planted vegetables on the community sports grounds, contributing to the local food garden. This gave learners hands-on experience in sustainable gardening while supporting community-based food security.

Through this activity, learners were able to see how small actions, such as planting and caring for vegetables, can contribute to healthier communities and more sustainable living.

Eco-Club Leading the Way

The school’s Eco-Club played an active role in coordinating several activities, including a clean-up campaign, a waste-sorting activity, and the rehabilitation of the school’s food garden.

Learners collected and separated waste, reinforcing the importance of responsible waste management and recycling. The school food garden was also cleaned and restored, creating a better space for future planting and environmental learning.

 

 

Building a Cleaner, Greener School Community

These initiatives helped strengthen environmental awareness, build practical skills, and improve the overall school environment. They also demonstrated the important role young people can play in caring for their schools and communities.

Through the support of the eWASA SA Waste Management and Education Project, Concordia Primary School continues to inspire learners to become active environmental citizens who contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

On 18 June 2026, WESSA and Wispeco Aluminium proudly unveiled the Sensory Garden at Ezibeleni Orthopaedic Home and School for the Physically Disabled, breathing new life into an unused outdoor space and transforming it into a welcoming, inclusive environment where learning and nature meet.

Thoughtfully designed to awaken all five senses, the garden invites learners to play, explore, discover, and grow in a space that supports both their well-being and development.

With indigenous plants, sensory experiences, interactive games, building blocks, and accessible seating, the garden is far more than a beautified space. It is a living classroom filled with possibility. It is a place where young minds are stimulated, confidence is nurtured, and every learner is given the chance to connect meaningfully with the natural world.

Pictured above: Learners painted tyres under the guidance of Wispeco staff

Through this powerful partnership, WESSA and Wispeco Aluminium have created a space that not only restores the environment but also touches lives in lasting and meaningful ways.

The day began with an overview of the project’s objectives, presented by the WESSA Project Manager, who introduced learners, educators, and Wispeco volunteers to the vision behind the initiative: to create an outdoor learning space that promotes environmental stewardship while supporting the diverse sensory and educational needs of learners with physical disabilities.

Before the practical activities began, participants took part in an interactive environmental education session facilitated by WESSA. The session explored the importance of biodiversity, the value of sensory gardens, and how accessible green spaces contribute to learner wellbeing, environmental awareness, and inclusive education.

Learners discovered how indigenous and pollinator-friendly plants provide habitat for wildlife while offering rich sensory experiences through colour, texture, fragrance, sound, and even taste.

The garden was further enhanced with a dedicated corner featuring a table, games, and building blocks, designed to support play, cognitive development, and interactive learning. These additions ensure that all five senses are engaged, making the space more than a garden. It is a living, inclusive classroom where learners can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste while also strengthening creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction.

The environmental session was followed by collaborative garden activation activities, with participants divided into four teams to help bring the vision to life. A key feature of the project was the installation of an accessible outdoor seating area, providing learners and educators with a comfortable space for environmental lessons, quiet reflection, and sensory engagement.

The benches were engraved with the Wispeco Aluminium logo in recognition of the company’s generous sponsorship and its commitment to sustainability, community development, and inclusive education.

The Sensory Garden is more than a once-off greening initiative, it is a living classroom where learners can engage with biodiversity through hands-on experiences that support learning, wellbeing, and environmental responsibility. By combining inclusive design with biodiversity conservation, WESSA and Wispeco Aluminium have shown how meaningful partnerships can create spaces where every learner has the opportunity to experience, appreciate, and care for the natural world.

A Day of Action at the Port

On 5 June 2025, WESSA partnered with eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Solid Waste department and Transnet for a hands-on clean-up event at the Durban Port, located within the Durban Harbour, in celebration of World Environment Day.

The day brought together committed partners with one shared goal: to reduce pollution and help protect the harbour environment before waste could make its way into the ocean.

Why Durban Harbour Matters

Durban Harbour is one of South Africa’s busiest port areas, making it an important space for trade, transport, and economic activity. However, with this activity comes the responsibility to care for the surrounding environment.

Waste left on land can easily be carried by wind, rain, and stormwater systems into the harbour and eventually into the sea. Clean-up initiatives like this play an important role in preventing land-based pollution from becoming marine pollution.

The main aim of the clean-up was to remove waste from the Durban port area before it could reach the marine environment. Participants worked together to collect litter and improve the surrounding area, showing that small actions can make a big difference when people work together.

Every piece of plastic, paper, and general waste removed helped reduce the risk of pollution entering the ocean and affecting marine life.

Greening the Space

The clean-up was not only about removing waste. Participants from eThekwini Municipality also removed weeds from the garden area and planted indigenous flora.

Indigenous plants are an important part of healthy local ecosystems. They support biodiversity, require less water, and help create greener, more resilient spaces for people and nature.

Partnership in Action

Transnet, as a key port operator, led by example by showing that environmental responsibility is part of everyday business. Their involvement highlighted the important role that businesses and institutions can play in caring for the environment.

The collaboration between WESSA, eThekwini Municipality, Durban Solid Waste, and Transnet strengthened local partnerships and encouraged a shared sense of responsibility for maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment.

World Environment Day is a reminder that everyone has a role to play in protecting the planet. Whether it is picking up litter, planting indigenous plants, reducing single-use plastics, or educating others, every action counts.

At WESSA, we believe that environmental care starts with awareness, grows through action, and becomes lasting change through partnership.

Together, we can keep our ports, rivers, beaches, and oceans cleaner — one clean-up at a time.