On Saturday, 11 October 2025, WESSA hosted a successful beach cleanup at Treasure Beach under the Green Rising project, bringing together passionate volunteers for a day of impact and inspiration.

Over 80 participants, including enthusiastic students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and members of the Power Girls Organisation, joined forces to restore and protect this vital stretch of coastline. Their hard work paid off, with 60 bags of waste collected, helping to safeguard marine life and promote healthier ocean ecosystems.

Beyond the cleanup, the day offered an opportunity to connect more deeply with nature through a rocky shore exploration, where participants discovered the incredible biodiversity that thrives along our coasts. The event perfectly captured the spirit of Green Rising, combining environmental action, education, and community collaboration to inspire lasting change.

The Green Rising Protect and Restore Project is a collaborative initiative between WESSA and UNICEF aimed at combatting biodiversity degradation in South African schools and communities while expanding WESSA’s national reach. Over the next year 2025/6, we aim to mobilise at least 20 000 children and young people in 100 schools across the Gauteng, Northwest, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces, to take direct climate action. These efforts will help restore and protect a minimum of 100 hectares of land and divert over 500 tons of waste through activities such as indigenous planting and biodiversity conservation. 

The Umlazi King Zwelithini Stadium came alive with colour, laughter, and energy as sport and sustainability took centre stage during this year’s Umlazi Recycling Soccer Tournament, a creative celebration of teamwork, environmental awareness, and community spirit.

School learners from across Umlazi swapped traditional entry fees for recyclables, earning their spot on the field by collecting bottles, cans, and other waste materials. In total, over four tonnes of recyclables were gathered, transforming everyday litter into tickets for play and proof that small actions can create big impact.

The tournament featured a mix of high-energy soccer matches and hands-on eco-challenges, keeping participants and spectators engaged throughout. Waste recyclers led interactive demonstrations, teaching learners how recycling helps protect our environment while promoting responsible waste habits.

A formal programme added depth to the day, with local stakeholders and environmental partners sharing insightful messages on the importance of recycling, water conservation, and sustainable living. Learners eagerly took part in an environmental quiz, winning exciting prizes and showing off their growing knowledge of eco-friendly practices.

Community collaboration shone brightly through partnerships with DSW, MetPack SA, Save a Life, eThekwini Municipality Water & Sanitation, the Green Youth Network, and WESSA, all of whom hosted engaging information stalls to inspire young people to act for the Earth.

As the final whistle blew, trophies, medals, floating cups, and goody bags were handed out to proud winners. Yet, the real victory belonged to the environment and to the 170 learners who proved that sustainability and sport can go hand in hand.

This event, part of International Coastal Cleanup activities, demonstrated how creativity and collaboration can turn environmental education into action, reminding us all that a cleaner, greener future starts with the communities who care enough to play their part.

WESSA is pleased to announce the appointment of Morgan Griffiths as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 1 October 2025.

In his new role, Morgan will take full ownership and accountability for WESSA’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that the organisation continues to deliver on its core objectives – Educate, Advocate, Act. He will work across all WESSA units, including shared internal services, to strengthen alignment, improve operational efficiency, and support the CEO in advancing WESSA’s mission and vision.

This appointment marks an important step in WESSA’s continued evolution as a leading environmental organisation dedicated to advancing sustainability, environmental education, and community empowerment. Morgan’s deep institutional knowledge, strong leadership, and passion for environmental stewardship uniquely position him to guide the operational heartbeat of the organisation.

WESSA’s CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete, expressed her confidence in the appointment, saying: “I have no doubt that with his history with WESSA and organisational knowledge, Morgan will help all units, and me, drive WESSA forward.”

In addition to overseeing operations, Morgan will represent the CEO at selected external engagements and play a key role in ensuring that all WESSA initiatives remain strategically aligned and impactful, from national programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag, and Green Key, to internal initiatives that support WESSA’s staff and partners.

Please join us in congratulating Morgan on his new role as COO. We look forward to his leadership as WESSA continues to grow its impact for people and the planet.

September was a month full of action, advocacy, and community engagement for our WESSA members and volunteers. From plant fairs to coastal clean-ups and tree planting, our members have been living out WESSA’s mission to educate, advocate, and act for the environment. Here’s a look at what they achieved:

Arbor Day at Umbogavango Nature Reserve

At Umbogavango Nature Reserve, 50 participants gathered to celebrate Arbor Day —now expanded to National Arbor Week, which takes place annually from 1 to 7 September annually— through a day of education, action, and community spirit. The programme included interactive climate exhibits, engaging talks, and the planting of 15 new trees. Partners were honoured with certificates, and the event closed with a shared meal and a refreshing nature walk, strengthening connections between people and planet.

Plant Fair at Durban Botanical Garden

On 6–7 September 2025, volunteers Lufuno Khabane and Lungelo Mbili represented WESSA at the annual Plant Fair hosted by the Botanical Society (KZN Coastal Branch) at the Durban Botanical Garden. The two-day event featured plant sales, educational booths, and expert talks. Our volunteers played a vital role in networking with attendees and promoting WESSA membership, helping to grow our community of environmental stewards.

International Coastal Clean-Up Day at Beachwood Mangroves

Marking International Coastal Clean-Up Day on 20 September 2025, WESSA members joined forces with local organisations and the North Durban Honorary Officers to tackle litter at Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve. Despite challenging weather, more than 500 participants, including schools and community groups, came together to collect over 1.5 tonnes of trash. The team gathered and analysed over 200 bags of waste, contributing valuable data on the types of litter polluting our coastline. This event continues a proud tradition, with the Honorary Officers leading clean-ups at this site for the past 25 years.

Thank you to all our members and volunteers who gave their time and energy in September. Your efforts continue to inspire positive change and build a more sustainable future for all.

In celebration of Arbor Week 2025, Firgrove Primary School and Kwa-Faku Primary School in the Western Cape proudly participated in the One Million Trees Project — a national greening initiative led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

The project set an ambitious goal: to plant one million trees in a single day on 24 September 2025, as part of the broader National Greening Programme, which aims to plant ten million trees over the next five years. Beyond increasing green cover, the initiative is designed to enhance urban spaces, mitigate the effects of climate change, improve food security through fruit and indigenous trees, and inspire community participation in environmental care.

At both schools, groups of enthusiastic learners worked side by side to plant a variety of trees on their grounds. Their efforts contribute directly to the national target while also nurturing a sense of responsibility and awareness about the role trees play in creating a healthier, more resilient environment.

Through this initiative, learners not only planted trees but also planted the seeds of collective responsibility — a reminder that caring for our planet begins with small actions that grow into lasting impact.