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.

Maragon Mooikloof: Tree planting Initiatives and chalk art.

Every year, Arbor Week (1–7 September) provides an opportunity for South Africans to celebrate the vital role that trees play in sustaining life, restoring ecosystems, and building climate resilience. This September, ADvTECH schools once again demonstrated their commitment to environmental education and action by hosting creative, hands-on activities that brought learners closer to nature.

At Maragon Mooikloof, learners combined fun with learning through Arbor Day Bingo, a Chalk Art Competition, and engaging sessions for Grades 8 and 9 on the history and importance of Arbor Week. Each class also planted either a Common Karee or River Bushwillow tree, adding 20 new trees to the school grounds and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

Maragon Olympus: Learners engaged in the significance of Arbor week, tree education and planting.

Maragon Olympus took learning outdoors, with Foundation Phase learners enjoying a school-wide tree hunt, while preschoolers inaugurated a new outdoor classroom, supporting their chosen Eco-Schools theme for the year, ‘School Grounds’. The school planted 15 trees, including five fruit trees, and established two sensory gardens that encourage exploration and reflection. The celebrations concluded with the popular Green Heart Fashion Show, where Grade 7 learners showcased sustainable designs, highlighting the link between creativity and conservation.

Trinityhouse Centurion: Primary school learners showcasing their Arbor week hats and the high school learners launched an ‘Adopt-a-Tree’ programme.

At Trinityhouse Centurion, the week included a recycled-materials Arbor Day hat competition amongst the primary school learners, a tree-planting ceremony, and a guest talk from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). High school learners also launched an inspiring “Adopt-a-Tree” programme to nurture responsibility for the environment throughout the year.

Through these initiatives, ADvTECH schools are not only cultivating greener campuses but also equipping learners with knowledge and skills to become custodians of our natural heritage. Arbor Week serves as a reminder that every tree planted, every story shared, and every action taken contributes to a more resilient and sustainable future.

Caption: [Right] Mr Ganye in action, [left] and conducting a lesson to his class on the importance of rainwater harvesting.

Mr Ganye, an ECD Practitioner has shown remarkable dedication to his work, consistently going above and beyond to support his learners and the school community. This profile serves as a recognition and appreciation of his commitment, highlighting the valuable role he plays in shaping young minds. In a field often described as female-dominated, his presence and contributions stand out as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the efforts of individual educators who make a lasting difference.

Q1: How did you first get involved in Early Childhood Development?

Mr Ganye: I began my Educare course in 2022 at Flavius Mareka TVET College. After completing a year and six months of study, I started my practical training at Ntataise Educare Centre, where I gained hands-on experience and began actively engaging with children.

Q2: What are your roles and responsibilities as an ECD Practitioner, and what do you enjoy about it?

Mr Ganye: My role as a practitioner is to teach, observe, and support children, ensuring their holistic development across all areas of growth. Working with children every day brings joy and purpose to the education system. I continue to learn from them, and this reminds me that Early Childhood Development is a powerful force for positive change in education.

Q3: How has being part of the Eco-Schools programme and the N3TC Project developed you personally and professionally?

Mr Ganye: Being part of the Eco-Schools Programme through the N3TC Project has made my work more meaningful and enjoyable. It has strengthened my personal commitment to protecting our world while also giving me practical, simple methods to teach and guide young children about caring for the environment. Professionally, it has deepened my interest in environmental education and equipped me with creative ways to integrate sustainability into my daily teaching practice.

Top: ECD Practitioners at Qalabotjha Creche in action conducting the lesson with the children. Bottom right: Construction of the new tank at Thuto Ke Lesedi Educare Centre; bottom left: Beneficiaries posed for a photo during a recent visit, celebrating Heritage Day.

On the 25^th and 26^th of September 2025, the WESSA team successfully implemented another phase of the project at four ECD schools in Villiers, Free State, with a strong focus on building resilience through water conservation. The programme introduced young learners to the importance of adopting sustainable practices, particularly the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures and good daily water-saving habits. By tailoring the content to an ECD level, the sessions created an engaging learning environment where children could understand the value of protecting water resources in simple, practical ways.

A key highlight of the implementation was the emphasis on rainwater harvesting, especially as the schools prepare for the upcoming summer season. Learners and educators were encouraged to view rainwater as a valuable resource that can supplement daily needs while easing pressure on municipal supply. This practical approach not only equipped the schools with knowledge and skills but also instilled habits of conservation and responsibility, laying a foundation for lifelong stewardship of water resources.

A notable achievement was the installation of a new water tank at Thuto Ke Lesedi Educare Centre, a milestone that has brought much-needed relief to the school community. For a long time, the centre had been struggling with persistent water challenges, which affected daily operations and the well-being of the learners. The new tank now ensures reliable water storage, providing a sustainable solution that supports both teaching and learning while promoting better hygiene and overall school resilience.

Green Coast Programme: Building Resilient Coastal Destinations

WESSA supported a strong cohort of 16 Green Coast applications for the 2025/26 season, with nine of these being from new sites. Applicants submitted evidence and completed readiness checks, which were reviewed by the National Green Coast Jury in September. The results will be announced at the Annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Award Ceremony at the end of October 2025.

Green Coast aims to strengthen sustainable development along South Africa’s coastline by linking biodiversity care with nature-based tourism. The programme focuses on inclusive, educational, and locally beneficial initiatives—from creating accessible trails and enhancing interpretive signage to citizen-science monitoring and clean-ups that improve visitor experience. These efforts help build resilient destinations that create jobs while protecting ecosystems.

International coastal cleanup turns awareness into action

In September, the Green Coast network showed strong participation in International Coastal Cleanup. Many partners paired clean-ups with educational pop-ups, litter-audit data collection, and marine-safety messaging. Several sites spotlighted the Stop the Strangle campaign by installing or servicing fishing-line bins and mapping entanglement-risk hotspots.

These efforts translated awareness into measurable action: cleaner beaches, safer wildlife, and communities mobilised to keep plastic and fishing line out of our oceans.

Recognising partners on World Tourism Day

On World Tourism Day (27 September), WESSA recognised the municipal, NGO, private-sector, and community partners who bring impact to the Coastal Programme, showcasing how collaboration drives sustainable coastal management.

Blue Flag Programme: Celebrating Excellence in Coastal and Marine Tourism

WESSA sincerely acknowledges the outstanding commitment of year-round Blue Flag Sustainable Tourism operators, whose continued efforts ensure responsible coastal and marine tourism and set a global standard of excellence.

Special appreciation goes to Marine Dynamics Whale & Shark Tours, Offshore Adventures, and White Shark Diving Company. These operators demonstrate how eco-tourism can protect biodiversity while providing visitors with world-class, environmentally responsible experiences.

Blue Flag recognition also extends to marinas including the V&A Waterfront, Thesen Island Homeowners Association, Thesen Harbour Town, and Royal Alfred Marina. These sites uphold high standards of clean waters, safe facilities, and sustainable management, making them model destinations for both locals and international visitors.

We commend the Blue Flag Beaches under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Umdoni Municipality, and KwaDukuza Municipality, whose dedicated teams ensure safe, clean, and environmentally conscious beaches that attract tourism, create jobs, and foster community pride.

A shared commitment

Together, these operators and partners continue to fly the Sustainability Flag high. Their commitment demonstrates that tourism, conservation, and community benefit can go hand-in-hand—protecting natural heritage while strengthening responsible and sustainable tourism for the future.