Pictured above: Appointed teacher coordinators shared ongoing eco club activities

Strengthening Teacher Capacity through the De Aar Solar Park Project

On 10 June, De Aar Solar Power and WESSA facilitated a teacher workshop at Alpha Primary School as part of the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project.

The workshop brought together 10 teachers from Alpha Primary School, 2 teachers from Kareeville Primary School, and a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform.

The session focused on Education for Sustainable Development, preparations for the upcoming Entrepreneurship Day, and how learners can develop practical green business initiatives linked to waste management, recycling, creativity, and sustainability.

Sharing Eco-Club activities and creative ideas

During the workshop, appointed teacher coordinators shared updates on their ongoing Eco-Club activities and reflected on the progress made at their schools.

Alpha Primary School showcased its creative arts and crafts activities, including gift bags made by learners and a lively “trashion show”, where learners designed fashion items using recyclable materials.

 

Pictured above: Alpha Primary School shared their arts and crafts activities, gift bags, and a lively ‘trashion show’ with fashion made from recyclables

Kareeville Primary School highlighted its waste-sorting activities and creative projects using recycled materials. These mini-presentations created a valuable platform for teachers to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen collaboration between participating schools.

Learners embrace Eco-Schools projects through Droogfontein Solar Park

In another exciting development, learners from Beacon Primary School in Collville and Waterworks Primary School in Riverton participated in school assemblies linked to the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, implemented in partnership with WESSA.

The assemblies introduced learners to practical environmental projects that will be implemented at their schools, helping them understand how they can contribute to cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable school communities.

 

 

Recycling awareness at Beacon Primary School

At Beacon Primary School, learners were introduced to the upcoming recycling project. The session focused on helping learners identify different types of recyclable waste and understand the benefits of recycling for their school and broader community.

Learners were encouraged to think about how waste can be reduced, reused, and recycled, and how their participation can support responsible waste management practices at school.

At Waterworks Primary School, the assembly focused on food gardens and their many benefits. Learners explored how school food gardens can provide fresh produce, promote healthy eating, and create opportunities to learn practical skills in sustainability.

The session helped learners understand that food gardens are not only about growing vegetables, but also about building responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

Building environmental stewardship

Both the teacher workshop and learner assemblies demonstrated the value of the Eco-Schools approach in bringing sustainability to life through practical action.

Through the De Aar Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project and the Droogfontein Solar Park Circular Economy Eco-Schools Green Business Project, teachers and learners are being empowered to explore circular economy principles, develop green business ideas, improve waste management, and strengthen environmental stewardship within their schools.

These activities show how partnerships between WESSA, solar power partners, schools, and government stakeholders are helping to build a new generation of environmentally conscious learners and educators in the Northern Cape.

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.

Our Eco-Schools theme for June was World Oceans Day, and the spotlight has been placed on three participating schools: Crawford International La Lucia, Crawford International Lonehill, and Elkanah House School in Cape Town.

Making waves for change: Crawford International College swimmers conquer World Ocean Day Challenge

On June 8th, the spirit of determination and environmental passion was alive and well as an inspiring group of swimmers from Crawford International College in La Lucia took to the sea for the World Ocean Day swim. Facing the open water with the confidence of true athletes, our well-trained and brave students proved that they are not just capable swimmers, but dedicated stewards of our planet.

Distance Highlights: The squad of swimmers pushed their limits across three distinct courses, showing immense grit from the shortest to the longest routes:
The 800m and 1-Mile courses: These incredible students showed phenomenal stamina and pacing, cutting through the water and showcasing the rewards of their hard training.
The 2-Mile Route: (3.2km): Leading by example, one of the teachers, Miss Norval, tackled the ultimate endurance test of the day, successfully conquering the gruelling 2-mile swim.

A True Community Effort

This wasn’t just a student achievement, it was a full community triumph. Joining the students in the water was a passionate staff member, Mrs. Gous, and her equally strong husband, who both braved the elements to swim alongside the team and offer incredible encouragement.

Beyond the physical achievement, every single stroke served a greater purpose. The team swam to raise vital funds for Breathe Conservation, an organisation dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution and protecting our marine ecosystems.

All funds raised contribute toward a Plastic-Free Future. Every wave conquered by this Crawford International College team helps support Breathe Conservation’s mission to educate global communities and eliminate plastic from our oceans.

Young learners from Crawford International College Lonehill showcase their recycled artwork

Grade one learners at Crawford International College in Lonehill, Gauteng, created watercolour paintings of sea creatures and made a collage using recycling and added to their artwork, which tied into the central theme of ‘Sharing the planet: Protecting our natural resources’.

 

 

Elkanah House Prep Schools launched a bottle top collection and recycling initiative

 

 

Children were encouraged to bring plastic bottle tops to school and place them in the collection bins provided.  Classes focused on recycling, re using and correct waste disposal for the month.

Emphasis was placed on keeping our natural environment plastic free.  The children were thrilled to see their contributions make a difference to the overall amount collected.

Teachers also came to collect coloured bottle tops to use in their lessons for example some used them as counters in their maths small groups, art projects and posters. The Blouberg Campus collected 66 Kg of plastic bottle tops which were packed and sent to our plastic recycling company. Each campus will continue to collect the bottle tops as an ongoing WESSA initiative.

 

 

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.

Pictured above: WESSA Senior Coastal Programme Manager meeting partners during Control Site visits

From site visits and programme assessments to environmental education and the continued growth of community-based initiatives, WESSA’s Coastal Programme team had a busy month of May supporting safer, cleaner and more sustainable coastal destinations.

Across the country, the team has been conducting control visits at Green Coast sites, Blue Flag marinas and tourism boats. These visits are an important part of maintaining programme standards and ensuring that environmental criteria are being implemented effectively on the ground.

They also provide an opportunity to engage directly with partners, recognise good practices, identify areas for improvement and offer practical support to teams working to strengthen coastal destinations for communities, visitors and future generations.

Supporting coastal sites through practical engagement

Control visits play a key role in helping sites maintain the standards linked to WESSA’s coastal programmes.

By assessing how criteria are being applied in practice, the Coastal Programme team can support partners in building more sustainable, well-managed and environmentally responsible coastal spaces.

The month of May also saw continued growth in the Stop the Strangle initiative, with new sites joining the programme. The initiative is steadily moving towards its target of 100 Stop the Strangle bins by October, thanks to the Ford Wildlife Foundation, helping to expand efforts to reduce fishing-line pollution and protect coastal and marine environments.

 

Pictured above: Ford 100-Bin Relay Project – a Stop the Strangle initiative, powered by Ford Wildlife Foundation

Preparing for the 2026/27 Blue Flag season

Applications for the next Blue Flag season closed in mid-May and are currently being assessed by the Coastal Programme team ahead of the National Jury sitting in June.

Despite severe storms experienced along the coast, municipalities are working hard to repair affected areas and prepare sites for the 2026/27 season.

Their ongoing commitment reflects the value of collaboration in maintaining high standards and ensuring that coastal destinations remain safe, accessible and environmentally sustainable.

Building the next generation of coastal leaders

Pictured above: Online training session with students from the University of Zululand, in collaboration with the WESSA Education Unit from Twinstreams

In addition to the team’s on-the-ground work, WESSA hosted an engaging online training session with students from the University of Zululand, in collaboration with our Education Unit team from Twinstreams.

The session, titled “Charting a Sustainable Course for Coastal and Marine Tourism,” explored how certification can be used as a strategic tool for destination management.

Students were introduced to a range of internationally recognised eco-labels and certification initiatives, including:

• Blue Flag beaches
• Pilot Blue Flag sites
• Tourism boats and marinas
• The Green Coast eco-label for emerging and less-developed coastal sites
• Green Key awards

The session was well received by students and lecturers, sparking meaningful discussions and new ideas around coastal sustainability and marine tourism.

WESSA is continuing conversations with the students to explore how some of these concepts and opportunities can be developed further.

Working together for healthier coastlines

From supporting municipalities and coastal partners to expanding pollution-reduction initiatives and engaging future environmental leaders, the Coastal Programme continues to demonstrate the value of practical action and collaboration.

These efforts help strengthen destinations, protect coastal environments and build a shared commitment to more sustainable coastlines.

Pictured above: Top left – Launching the recycling programme at GJ Louw Primary School; (top right) Kuyga Primary School learners presenting Trashion creations; (bottom right) Hillside Technical School receiving their recycling bins and bulk bags; (bottom left) Abraham Levy Primary School Eco-committee with their recycling bins & bulk bags

What happens when learners are encouraged to see waste differently?

Across 10 schools in Nelson Mandela Bay, learners and teachers are beginning to explore the answer: waste can be separated, recycled and even transformed into something new.

From 18–21 May 2026, WESSA and eWASA launched school recycling programmes at these Eastern Cape schools:

1. Kuyga Primary School
2. David Livingstone High School
3. Westview Special School
4. Hillside Technical School
5. GJ Louw Primary School
6. Abraham Levy Primary School
7. Chapman High School
8. Happydale Special School
9. St Thomas Senior Secondary School
10. Paterson High School

Learning how recycling begins

 

Pictured above: (top left & right) St Thomas Senior Secondary School with their recycling bins & engaging in a recycling presentation during assembly; (bottom left & right) David Livingstone learners with The Waste Trade Company team & launching their schools recycling programme

The sessions introduced learners and teachers to the recycling process through practical separation-at-source activities. Participants learnt how to correctly separate and sort waste, building the knowledge needed to support more responsible waste management practices at their schools.

Each school received four recycling bins and three bulk bags to help establish its recycling programme.

The Waste Trade Company joined the sessions to explain which materials can and cannot be recycled and how the collection process will work at each school.

Reimagining the value of waste

The Eastern Cape launch also encouraged learners to think creatively about materials that might otherwise be discarded.

During the sessions, The Waste Trade Company showcased upcycled items, including clothing, fashion accessories and toys made from waste materials. These examples helped learners see that waste is not only an environmental challenge; it can also be an opportunity for creativity and innovation.

This message was reinforced through the launch of the Trashion Design Challenge, which invites learners to create fashion pieces using recycled waste.

Growing practical environmental action

The school recycling programmes are designed to improve awareness of responsible waste management while giving schools the infrastructure needed to put this knowledge into practice.

By combining education, recycling systems and creative upcycling, the project is helping learners understand that their everyday choices matter. A plastic item, container or piece of discarded material does not always need to become waste. With the right knowledge and systems in place, it can become part of a more sustainable future.

Pictured above: WESSA X ENGIE – International Day for Biodiversity at Sedi-Laka Primary School

On 22 May 2026, WESSA joined ENGIE, educators and 120 learners at Sedi-Laka Primary School in Thembisa, Gauteng, to mark International Day for Biodiversity through practical environmental action.

Aligned with the 2026 theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact”, the day gave learners an opportunity to explore the importance of South Africa’s indigenous biodiversity while actively contributing to a greener, more educational school environment.

Learning through action

The school grounds became a hands-on learning space as learners participated in indigenous greening and food-growing activities.

Together, the learners, teachers, ENGIE representatives and WESSA staff planted:

• 15 indigenous trees
• Five fruit trees
• 20 trays of vegetable seedlings
• 30 indigenous succulents in a tyre garden

 

Pictured above: ENGIE staff & Sedi-Laka Primary learners creating a new succulent garden, including painting tyres to host the new plants

Each activity offered an opportunity for learners to build practical skills. They learnt about the value of indigenous biodiversity, the benefits of succulents, how to plant and care for trees, and how to grow their own food by planting seedlings.

Planting the seeds of environmental responsibility

Beyond the plants added to the school grounds, the day was about nurturing a deeper understanding of the natural world.

By identifying indigenous trees and succulents and learning how to care for them, learners strengthened their knowledge of South Africa’s biodiversity. Working together also encouraged teamwork, responsibility and positive behaviour change around biodiversity conservation.

The new trees, seedlings and succulents will help support the development of a greener school environment where learners can continue to observe, care for and learn from nature.

 

Pictured above: Learners engaged in gardening & tree planting

Local action with lasting value

International Day for Biodiversity is a reminder that environmental stewardship does not only take place in distant natural spaces. It can begin in a school garden, through a newly planted tree or in the hands of a learner discovering how to grow food.

Through partnerships such as this one with ENGIE, WESSA continues to support practical environmental learning that empowers young people to take meaningful action in their own communities.

By acting locally, schools can help grow a more biodiverse and environmentally conscious future.

 

Pictured above: ENGIE staff & Sedi-Laka Primary School learners celebrating a successful day of planting initiatives

Pictured above: The team that rolled up their sleeves to conduct an alien invasive clearing event at New Germany Nature Reserve

From restoring natural ecosystems to planting food gardens and investigating river health, learners, families, volunteers and partners took part in a series of practical environmental activities across KwaZulu-Natal during May 2026.

Implemented through the UNICEF Green Rising project, the four activities demonstrated how environmental learning can move beyond the classroom and into farms, nature reserves, school grounds and local waterways. Together, they encouraged active participation in biodiversity conservation, food security, water stewardship and community-led environmental action.

Growing partnerships through sustainable agriculture

 

Pictured above: AgriGLAM Planting Day Programme held at AgriGLAM Farm in Engonyameni, Durban

On 12 May 2026, WESSA joined the AgriGLAM Planting Day Programme at AgriGLAM Farm in Engonyameni, Durban.

Held under the theme “Growing more than crops – Growing Partnerships,” the programme brought together stakeholders, educational institutions, community organisations and private-sector partners to promote sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and collaborative community development.

The day included discussions on sustainable agriculture, food security and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

Pictured above: Preparing the land for 4000 seedlings – AgriGLAM Farm in Engonyameni, Durban

WESSA was represented by Project Coordinator Mrs Nomfundo Ngidi, alongside participants from the Durban Natural Science Museum, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Ithuba Agribusiness, the Department of Agriculture, Radisson Blu Hotel Umhlanga, the Social Economic Systems Institute, local schools and community representatives.

The programme culminated in a practical planting session, where participants collectively planted 4,000 seedlings to support food-security efforts and encourage community participation in sustainable agricultural practices.

Restoring biodiversity at New Germany Nature Reserve

On 13 May 2026, WESSA partnered with the eThekwini Municipality Natural Resource Division to conduct an alien invasive clearing event at New Germany Nature Reserve.

The operation covered approximately 0.9 hectares and focused on removing invasive alien plant species, particularly Lantana camara, which poses a threat to indigenous vegetation and ecosystem health.

Through the combined efforts of WESSA volunteers and eThekwini Municipality workers, the activity contributed to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable environmental management within the reserve.

The event also strengthened collaboration between environmental stakeholders while encouraging active environmental stewardship.

Young citizen scientists investigate the Illovo River

On 18 May 2026, 18 learners from Amanzimtoti Primary School, together with their families, investigated the health of the Illovo River at the Toti Canoe Club site.

Taking on the role of citizen scientists, learners used the MiniSASS scoring system to assess aquatic ecosystem health. They identified macro-invertebrates in the water and tested the river’s pH levels and water clarity.

The activity encouraged hands-on learning while helping learners understand the importance of healthy river systems and responsible water stewardship.

By participating alongside their families, the learners extended environmental learning beyond the classroom and contributed to a shared understanding of local water resources.

Bringing biodiversity learning into the school grounds

On 22 May 2026, WESSA partnered with the Waste Management Department Education to celebrate Biodiversity Month with learners at Fulcon Park Primary School in Chatsworth.

Learners conducted a biodiversity index within their school grounds, giving them an opportunity to explore the variety of life present in their immediate environment. The activity formed part of broader environmental education efforts to build ecological awareness and integrate biodiversity conservation into school learning.

Fulcon Park Primary School also marked an important milestone as the first school in the Chatsworth Catchment to register as an Eco-School.

The activity was supported by WESSA, the Waste Management Department Education and Mr Pat Reddy from the Association of Clean Communities, helping to equip learners with practical tools to observe and appreciate local biodiversity.

Practical action with lasting impact

Across the four activities, Green Rising created opportunities for communities to learn, participate and take meaningful environmental action.

Whether planting seedlings, clearing invasive plants, assessing biodiversity or investigating river health, each activity showed how practical learning can strengthen environmental responsibility and build more connected, resilient communities.