Local pupils pioneers for recycling
Lekazi Primary School in KaNyamazane proved themselves worthy participants in a schools recycling programme.
MBOMBELA – Lekazi Primary School in KaNyamazane recently made its mark in Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA)’s schools recycling programme.
Although the programme started six years ago, schools in Mpumalanga were only introduced to it this year. This school, however, managed to collect a whopping 16,1 tonnes of waste.
CCBSA awarded top achieving schools from across the country at a “green”- inspired event in downtown Johannesburg. The recycling programme aims to raise awareness among learners about the importance of waste management and recycling.
At the beginning of a year, schools need to commit to collecting a minimum of 1 000 kilograms per month. Schools that collect two tonnes or more stand a chance to win prizes, in addition to the revenue they generate from selling the waste.
Sibongile Celiwe Sibiya, a teacher from Lekazi Primary, eagerly got the school involved when she was introduced to the culture of recycling.
The school found it a great way to clean the environment while standing in line to win cash prizes.
Learners and community members collected waste from their homes, relatives and areas that they frequent, and have already started to strategise for next year.
Although the school did not win, it received the MD Merit Award and walked away with R10 000, which will be used to pave the front area of the school, build a preschool centre and to renovate the library.
“I am very proud of the hard work they put into the programme, and teachers like Sibiya help to drive the recycling message home,” said Nombuso Hlatshwayo, CSI specialist in Mpumalanga.
