Left to right: Learners at Thuto Ke Lesedi ECD Centre learning about water filtration. An ECD Learner at Zenzeleni ECD Centre exploring water conservation through an experiment. Qalabotjha Creche learners participating in a water filter experiment, encouraging hand-on learning

From 22 to 24 October 2025, the WESSA team completed the final implementation visits to the Qalabotjha Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres in Villiers, Free State, marking the successful conclusion of the WESSA–N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) Project.

This final phase focused on building climate change resilience by identifying and implementing innovative solutions for drought preparedness and water security, directly addressing the community’s ongoing challenges with water scarcity.

Throughout the week, WESSA facilitators conducted interactive education sessions with learners to deepen their understanding of water resources and human impacts on these systems. Children explored practical water conservation techniques, with a special focus on rainwater harvesting as a vital tool for community resilience.

Pictured above: Mr Ganye an ECD Practitioner at Ntataise ECD Centre during a drought simulation lesson

To ensure long-term sustainability, water tanks were installed at the participating ECDs, a tangible step towards securing consistent access to water while promoting responsible resource management among both learners and educators.

Educators workshop to enable future problem solving

The project concluded with an empowering teachers’ workshop, bringing together local educators to share ideas and solutions for drought resilience. The session encouraged participants to design awareness campaigns promoting water-wise behaviour in schools and communities, and to continue learning from one another through collaboration.

A key highlight of the workshop was the establishment of a collaborative platform for teachers, enabling the exchange of ideas, resources, and best practices. The initiative recognises that greater impact is achieved when schools work together, strengthening collective climate action at the grassroots level.

The completion of this phase underscores WESSA’s and N3TC’s shared commitment to environmental education, sustainable resource management, and community-driven resilience, ensuring that even the youngest learners become part of building a water-secure future.

Pictured above: N3TC Project school Eco-Committee coordinators attendees.

Pictured above: (top left) Thuthukani P.S engaging in an ice breaker activity; (top right) Mehlwane S.S celebrating receiving their waste project resources; (bottom right) Amandla P.S learners observing food waste using the microscope; and (bottom left) Impilo P.S learners observing food waste using the microscope.

During the week of 20–24 October 2025, WESSA conducted a support implementation session with Glencore-funded schools in the Ogies and Kriel areas of eMalahleni. The visit focused on helping schools address food waste management as part of the project’s circular economy focus, empowering learners to turn everyday waste into valuable resources.

The session began with a fun icebreaker activity that encouraged learners to reflect on the limited nature of natural resources and the importance of applying the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, to use materials more efficiently and reduce waste.

Learners were then introduced to Bokashi, a product that uses microorganisms to ferment food waste, creating nutrient-rich compost. Using microscopes, they observed the fungi and bacteria in action, an engaging hands-on experience that linked directly to their Natural Sciences curriculum and deepened their understanding of ecological processes.

Pictured above: (top left) Lehlaka Combined School learners on an Ice Breaker activity and (top right) learners harvesting at their school garden; (bottom right) Sukumani P.S learners using bokashi to ferment food waste and (bottom left) celebrating a planting session at their extended garden.

In addition to the week’s activities, Sukumani Primary School and Lehlaka Combine School proudly showcased their ongoing food security projects, expanding their school gardens which continue to benefit their communities. To further support these initiatives, the schools received waste resources to enhance their composting and gardening efforts.

The week’s activities reflected the project’s core goal, to promote environmental responsibility, reduce waste, and strengthen food security within school communities through practical, science-based learning.

On 24 October 2025, in honour of the International Day of Climate Action, WESSA joined the uMgubandlala Environmental Initiative in Ndwedwe for a powerful celebration of community-led conservation and climate resilience.

Hosted at the Intaphuka Community Hall, the event shone a spotlight on the community’s remarkable journey in restoring and protecting the uMgubandlala Wetlands, a vital ecosystem that supports biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate adaptation. Attendees were inspired by stories that reflected years of dedication and unity in safeguarding natural resources.

A highlight of the day was the donation of indigenous trees and vegetable seedlings by local partners and organisations, symbolising a shared commitment to sustainable ecosystems, food security, and collective climate action.

It was an honour for WESSA to stand alongside dedicated partners and community members recognised for their efforts in nurturing a healthier environment. We commend the uMgubandlala community for their unwavering commitment to protecting our natural heritage and building climate resilience from the ground up.

October was filled with meaningful moments for WESSA KZN members, from forest discoveries to coastal clean-ups, all united by a shared love for nature.

Earlier in the month, on 18 October, members gathered at Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve for the monthly clean-up and social meetup, collecting over 20 bags of waste. Around ten dedicated members took part, reflecting on their impact and planning ahead for the Great Southern Bioblitz 2025.

These monthly clean-ups, held every third Saturday, continue to strengthen WESSA’s commitment to reducing ocean-bound waste, one bag at a time.

Members also enjoyed a guided nature walk at Hawaan Forest Estate, led by youth members Bernard, Zuzile and Lungelo. Participants of all ages connected with nature through guided interpretations, wild fruit tasting and even tree hugging, ending the day with a shared lunch in true WESSA spirit.

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Pictured above: Learners from Bulumko High School (top left), Intsebenziswano Secondary School (top right), Langa High school (bottom right) and Ikamvalethu Secondary school (bottom left)

In celebration of International E-Waste Day 2025 that took place on 14 October 2025, eco-club learners from ten schools across the Western Cape, participating in the eWASA–WESSA Waste Management and Education Project, explored creative solutions to one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges of our time, electronic waste.

The week-long learning experience kicked off with an exciting excursion to 1 More Time, a company that transforms single-use vapes into sleek, functional tech and lifestyle products. The visit gave learners a first-hand look into how waste can be reimagined through innovation and design thinking.

Learners were taken behind the scenes to explore various departments, from production and mechanical engineering to e-commerce and social media. Staff members shared insights into their roles and answered questions about career pathways in sustainability, technology, and circular design, offering invaluable guidance to these future changemakers.

“Seeing how something as simple as a discarded vape can be transformed into a stylish, usable product opened our eyes to the potential of e-waste,” shared one of the participating learners.

Following the tour, WESSA hosted an engaging Design Think-Tank Challenge, where learners deconstructed e-waste into its various components before brainstorming and designing innovative new products. Participants disassembled old irons and microwaves, exploring how each component could be reused, repurposed, or reimagined into new products. Working in teams, they brainstormed and sketched innovative ideas, combining science, creativity, and environmental stewardship. This activity encouraged them to apply what they had learned, combining creativity, problem-solving, and environmental responsibility.

The challenge not only deepened their understanding of waste management and sustainability but also inspired them to think critically about the role they can play in building a more circular economy.

This initiative made possible through the eWASA–WESSA partnership, continues to empower young people to see waste differently, as a valuable resource and an opportunity for innovation.

On 16 October 2025, the WESSA team hosted the final Eco-Schools teachers’ workshop under the Wispeco Aluminium Project, centred on two pressing themes 1) Water Conservation, and 2) Climate Change.

The workshop brought together 13 dedicated educators for a day of meaningful learning, reflection, and collaboration. The session aimed to deepen teachers’ understanding of sustainable resource use and environmental responsibility, both in their classrooms and within their wider school communities.

Through a mix of interactive discussions and practical activities, participants explored the real-world trade-offs involved in managing limited resources. These exercises encouraged critical thinking about how informed, balanced decision-making can drive sustainability in everyday contexts.

Hands-on learning activities allowed teachers to apply principles of resource allocation and water stewardship, demonstrating how these concepts can be integrated into school projects and lesson plans.

“Workshops like these remind us that sustainability starts with awareness, and teachers play a vital role in shaping that awareness among young people,” shared a WESSA facilitator.

By the end of the session, educators left inspired and equipped to lead climate-conscious initiatives within their schools, serving as catalysts for change in their communities.

This final workshop marked a meaningful close to the Wispeco Aluminium Project’s training series, reinforcing WESSA’s commitment to building environmental literacy and empowering teachers as changemakers for a more sustainable future.