Three primary schools were recently awarded for their participation and environmental success at the Sustainable Awards in Limpopo.
Kwa-Thema – The Ntokozweni, Zamani, and Phelang Lsen primary schools attended the Sustainable Awards ceremony at the Wilderness School in Limpopo on February 22.
Nature Connect, an NGO that provides and promotes environmental education and youth development programmes, invited the schools.
Ntokozweni Primary School placed first, receiving a certificate, national recognition for its sustainable food garden and R3 000.
“The school joined this programme in 2023, focusing on saving water and energy while making a difference by feeding the nation.
“It was easy for us because we already had a vegetable garden and irrigation system that uses grey water,” said teacher and garden facilitator Nomsa Xundu.
The life orientation and natural science teacher established the school’s food garden in 2016 to share her love of gardening with the youth. Xundu cares for the garden with the help of the school’s learners.
“I am grateful for the teamwork we have fostered among each other, teachers, and the principal. We work collaboratively to improve our garden daily.
“The money we won will go towards installing the JoJo tanks we bought. The tanks will assist our garden when there is no water,” she added.
The Zamani Primary School teacher and garden co-ordinator, Phumzile Mayise, said Xundu introduced their school to the Sustainable School Programme.
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She said they started the programme by recycling plastic bottles, collaborating with Goby (the Global Organisation 4 Brighter Youth).
“We came second in the recycling phase. We started our vegetable garden to feed our learners last year. It was successful. We thank Xundu for sharing seeds with our school. Our garden had its first harvest early this year,” said Mayise.
Mayise said the school won a one-star certificate at the ceremony. She won an R800 nature voucher as the most dedicated teacher in the Sustainable Schools Programme.
“We are happy to be part of this programme as a school,” she added.
Phelang Lsen School won an award and R2 000 toward environmental projects.
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