[Images left: Trashion Show First Place Winner at Diepsloot West Secondary School; (top right) Students learning about the importance of biodiversity at Interwaste; (bottom right) Itirele Zenzele Comprehensive School participating in the waste excursions at the Interwaste facilities in Germiston, Gauteng]

August was a month of creativity, learning, and impact as learners took centre stage in celebrating both Women’s Day and National Water Week through the eWASA & WESSA SA Schools Waste Management and Recycling Project.

Turning waste into wearable art

Two Trashion Shows brought classrooms to life at Diepsloot West Secondary School (8 August, themed around Women’s Month) and Masisebenze High School (22 August, themed for World Water Week). These unique events gave learners the chance to transform waste into bold, wearable art while sparking important conversations about consumer culture, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

The creativity and confidence on display were inspiring, young people proudly showcased their designs while leading their peers and communities in rethinking waste and its potential.

Pictured: Runner Up, Trashion Show at Diepsloot West Secondary. (middle and right) Innovative designs created by learners at Dieplsoot West Secondary School)

Learning beyond the classroom

Education extended beyond the runway with excursions to the Interwaste facilities on 19–20 August, where learners experienced the full journey of waste. From sorting and recycling to exploring waste-to-energy processes, these excursions offered a first-hand look at how everyday waste can be repurposed into new materials or even transformed into energy. For many learners, seeing waste in this new light was a true eye-opener.

Pictured: Students from eWASA Eco-Schools learning about the waste management and recycling process at Interwaste (bottom left) Students learning about waste to energy processes at Interwaste (bottom right) Diepsloot Secondary at the Interwaste Facilities]

Collaboration and support

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the eWASA team for their ongoing support of the Trashion Shows, and to Interwaste for opening their doors to learners and creating such engaging, educational experiences.

Together, these initiatives are not only empowering the next generation of environmental stewards but also showing how creative education can drive meaningful change in our communities.

Pictured: The eWASA team celebrating a successful Trashion show with the winners at Diepsloot West Secondary School]

[Images from left, top to bottom: Learner from Crawford International North Coast planting spekboom with Restore Africa; Elephant Day Eco Art Murals at The Bridge School Morningside; Learners at Crawford International La Lucia with Binny, the recycling mascot; Young learners at Crawford International Bryanston participating in science week experiments; Owl Day arts and crafts activities at South Downs College]

August was a month of learning, creativity, and community action across ADvTECH schools, as learners embraced the spirit of National Science Week and linked it with meaningful environmental and outreach activities. From experiments that sparked curiosity, to projects that built food gardens and celebrated our natural heritage, the initiatives reflected how education can be both fun and impactful.

Science sparks curiosity

At Crawford International Bryanston, Science Week came alive with hands-on experiments designed to ignite curiosity and demonstrate real-world connections. Learners discovered how science shapes everyday life, making the subject practical, exciting, and accessible.

Young learners at Crawford Interantional Bryanston participating in Science Week activities

Creative recycling with Buddy the PET Fish

At Crawford La Lucia, learners welcomed Buddy the PET Fish, a superhero mascot leading a recycling awareness drive. With the support of Alpla, Re Purpose, and Polyco, the initiative turned waste separation into a fun experience. Learners “fed” Buddy with plastic bottles and enjoyed dancing alongside Binny the Recycling Mascot, embedding memorable lessons on recycling and responsibility.

Crawford International La Lucia recycled plastic bottles with Buddy, the superhero PET Fish

Planting seeds of change

Meanwhile, at Crawford North Coast, learners embarked on a heartwarming outreach project at uMusa Crèche in Mandeni. Partnering with the Santa Shoebox Project and Restore Africa Foundation, they planted vegetable gardens, painted the crèche, and created a spekboom garden – cultivating sustainability, food security, and a brighter learning environment for young children.

Celebrating our natural world

In a spirit of environmental celebration, Southdowns College Pre-Primary hosted Owl Day, filled with themed dress-up, creative cookie decorating, and fascinating owl facts that captured learners’ imaginations. At The Bridge Morningside, Elephant Day was celebrated with songs, art, storytelling, and eco-art crafted from bottle caps, sparking conversations about conservation and the importance of our natural heritage.

Together, these activities highlight how ADvTECH schools continue to nurture learners who are curious, creative, and committed to building a better world.

On August 20, 2025, Cape Recife High School in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, hosted its highly anticipated Upcycling Competition, bringing together students, faculty, and community members to celebrate creativity and sustainability. This event aimed to inspire participants to transform discarded plastic items into innovative creations, showcasing the importance of environmental consciousness in our daily lives.

UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Design Challenge Project

Grade 8 and 9 learners have been taking part in the UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Design Challenge Project since the start of 2025. The students then displayed their remarkable projects that not only highlighted the endless possibilities of upcycling single-use plastics but also showcased their incredible creativity. Participants were encouraged to use materials that would typically be thrown away, such as plastic bottles, straws, old clothing, and other discarded items, to turn ‘trash into treasure.’

Participants showcased their entries, which the WESSA judges evaluated and assessed across various categories, including:

1. Creativity & Innovation
2. Sustainability & Impact
3. Feasibility & Functionality
4. Presentation & Communication
5. Collaboration & Teamwork

The creativity on display was truly inspiring, with students thinking outside the box and pushing the boundaries of traditional crafting.

Community Spirit

Students rallied for support from family, friends, and on the day teachers and parents visited the exhibition to view the creations, fostering a strong sense of community spirit. Attendees enjoyed viewing the creations and learning more about the importance of sustainable practices in an engaging and fun atmosphere, gaining insights into the school’s initiatives.

The UNEP Tide Turners Plastic Design Challenge not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents but also served as an educational opportunity. Learners completed their creation as part of their Arts & Culture subject. Throughout the event, participants and attendees learned about the impact of waste on the environment and how upcycling can contribute to a more sustainable future.

The success of this year’s Design Challenge Showcase has motivated Cape Recife High School to consider making it an annual event. With growing interest in sustainability and creative expression among students, future competitions promise to be even more ambitious and innovative.

The event was a resounding success, highlighting the creativity and resourcefulness of Cape Recife High School students. Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and ingenuity! Together, we can continue to inspire a culture of sustainability and responsibility within our community.

Let’s keep the momentum going and turn our waste into wonderful creations!

At WESSA we support citizen science initiatives as part of our broader mission to enable environmental stewardship and conservation.

Citizen science, where members of the public participate in scientific research, is a key component of WESSA’s approach to engaging communities in environmental monitoring and action.

However, for citizen science to be an everyday reality, young people require a basic understanding, and our programmes and partnerships facilitate key learnings to enable this.

Science meets nature

As part of the AECI Modderfontein Environmental Education Project, our latest school excursions, delivered through the WESSA Learning About Ecosystems & Forests (LEAF) Programme, offered a memorable learning experience for over 200 learners and teachers from five schools.

Learners from OR Tambo, Fish Eagle Dam, Modderfontein

Iphutheng Primary Students participating in the nature conservation group activity.

The programme focused on nature conservation and biodiversity through a series of engaging and interactive activities:

• A fun team game introduced learners to the concept of collective action for conservation.
• CAPS-aligned lessons followed, exploring topics like conservation, extinction, and endangered species.
• Learners worked in groups to investigate animal life within the reserve, presenting their findings to peers.
• The experience ended with a sensory nature walk, including time at the Fish Eagle Bird Hide for birdwatching and a walk along the river trail.

Left: Bovet Primary student learning about the different spiders of South Africa at the Modderfontein reserve
Right: Ikage Primary Student learning about tree rings

The week was a powerful reminder of the value of place-based education, where science comes to life through nature.

A heartfelt thank you to AECI and the Modderfontein Conservation Society for making these impactful excursions possible!

In the spirit of Mandela Month, WESSA and Wispeco Aluminium continued their inspiring partnership at Naledi Pre-Primary School in Katlehong, this time turning their attention to literacy and healthy living.

Building on the momentum of June’s World Environment Day, which saw the transformation of the school’s toilet facility and a joyful day of environmental education, July’s initiative focused on creating safe and inspiring spaces for learning and growth.

With the hands-on support of Wispeco Aluminium staff volunteers, Naledi’s reading corners were revamped into vibrant, welcoming areas where young learners can fall in love with stories, words, and imagination.

Simultaneously, a brand-new vegetable garden was established, offering learners a hands-on experience of where food comes from and how healthy habits begin with the soil.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

These words guided our July activities, reminding us that education is not confined to the classroom. By nurturing both minds and bodies, this initiative is helping to unlock the full potential of Naledi’s young learners.

This collaborative effort between WESSA and Wispeco Aluminium reflects the true heart of Mandela Month, active citizenship, shared responsibility, and meaningful impact. From improving sanitation to fostering literacy and food security, we are proud to be walking this journey of transformation alongside our partners.

Together, we are creating a nurturing learning environment rooted in dignity, curiosity, and care.