Nkomazi’s cleanest and greenest schools rewarded

JEPPES REEF – Despite challenges like a lack of water and resources, several schools were crowned the cleanest and greenest in Nkomazi last Thursday morning.

The Nkomazi Local Municipality’s annual Cleanest School Competition encouraged schools to embrace sustainable environmental values of cleanliness, planting trees, saving water and recycling of materials, in order to keep their schools and environment clean and green.

Forty nine schools participated this year, an increase of six from 2016.

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Winning schools were awarded trophies, certificates and vouchers.

In the primary school category, Sekusile Primary won, followed by Phiva and Zwide primary schools.

The winners of combined and secondary schools were Shayaza Combined in first place, Sincobile High in second and Lugebhuta Secondary in third.

Honours awards were given to Lugendlane Primary School (first in category), followed by Bukhosibetfu Primary and Mgobodzi Combined.

Mogogeni Primary School was awarded for having the best vegetable garden, Matsamo Primary was best in waste management, Hoechst Primary rewarded for the best environmental management and KaMhlushwa Primary was declared best in environmental awareness.

The best participating circuit was Khulangwane.

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“It is important that we not only teach learners about the importance of a clean environment, but continue to encourage and intensify their involvement in practical activities around greening and environmental protection in their schools and communities,” said Nkomazi executive mayor, Cllr Thulisile Khoza.

Projects should reflect water-saving techniques and sustainable environmental innovations designed to promote environmental adaptation under the prevailing climate conditions.

The mayor encouraged schools to reinvest their winnings in their environmental projects to create lasting legacies.