Pictured above: Nkonjane Primary School learners planting in the school vegetable garde & a WESSA Coordinator demonstrating best practice to plant
On 17 April 2026, WESSA continued its Clear Skies Eco-Schools support visits at Nkonjane Primary School in KwaGuqa township, eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
This session built on earlier engagements, reinforcing key lessons through hands-on environmental activities.
Learning by doing
Approximately 200 learners from Grades 6 and 7 took part in the session.
Activities included:
- Recycling education focused on sorting waste at source
- Introduction to Bokashi for composting food waste
- Spekboom planting to support carbon sequestration
- Establishment of a school vegetable garden using environmentally friendly methods
These practical exercises helped learners connect environmental issues to everyday behaviours.
Pictured above: Nkonjane Primary School learners engaging in the Spekboom propagation activity, a WESSA Coordinator engaging with learners and sharing best practice; Learners pasting recycling stickers on funded recycling bins)
Multi-stakeholder support for cleaner communities
The visit brought together partners on the day including representatives from GroundWork, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA), and local municipal representatives.
Together, they guided learners through discussions on air pollution, waste management, and the importance of collective action.
Sustaining impact beyond the classroom
By linking waste management to air quality, the session reinforced how small actions can contribute to broader environmental outcomes.
Through continued engagement and stakeholder collaboration, the project is supporting schools to become active hubs of sustainability within their communities.