Schools lead Nkomazi’s green revolution
For the past 10 years the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) has motivated dozens of local schools to be more environmentally aware through the Cleanest School Competition. This year's winners were announced last Thursday.
KAMHLUSHWA – A lack of resources has taught rural schools to find creative ways to protect the environment and keep their schools clean.
This year, Bukhosibetfu Primary in Driekoppies proved to be among the best at doing this.
It’s the tenth year the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) has hosted the Cleanest School Competition.
Schools are urged to clean up their environment, plant trees and vegetable gardens, save water and recycle. This has resulted in cleaner and greener communities.
READ: Nkomazi’s cleanest and greenest schools rewarded
The participating schools were recognised for these efforts during the competition’s awards ceremony held at Elangeni Lodge on Thursday. The competition was also part of NLM’s World Environmental Day (June 5) celebrations.
Teachers, headmasters, learners, government officials and the MEC for education, Sibusiso Malaza, attended.
The top schools were given trophies, certificates and vouchers worth thousands of rand to improve their premises or fund environmental projects.
PHOTOS: Municipality celebrates schools’ greening projects
Bukhosibetfu Primary was the winner of the honours category, with Sekusile Primary in second place and Shayaza Combined School in third.
Zwide Primary School claimed first place in the primary schools’ category, Mhlosheni Primary was second and Bongokuhle Primary third. Phiva was fourth and Lomati Draai was fifth. Phambanisa was sixth.
In the combined and secondary schools’ category, Sincobile Secondary was awarded top honours. Mgobodzi Combined took second place and Idlangemabala Secondary was third.
Khulangwane was the best participating circuit in the competition.
Lugedlane Primary School was rewarded for excellence, Mzinti Primary for the most-improved school and Masibonisane Primary for most-promising school.
Maqhekeza Primary was the best in park management, Magogeni Primary was best in water saving, Sogaza had the best vegetable garden, Goba Primary was the best in environmental management and Magewu was the best in recycling management.
Several schools and community groups have adopted rivers or wetlands to keep clean, with the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency providing them with materials and equipment to do so.
READ: Water levels still recovering after the drought
Moudy Tshikova told attendees that communities are responsible for their own waste, not the municipality. “If you can’t reuse it, refuse it!” he said, referring to plastic items.
Mayor Johan Mkhatshwa also encouraged schools to continue their good work and spread the message to the rest of the community. “We have a collective responsibility to keep plastic in a safe way after using it. If it becomes waste, it could harm someone else,” he stated.
Education MEC Sibusiso Malaza said he was impressed with the programme and would like to “steal” it to implement it in other regions. The provincial government hopes to supply agricultural equipment to schools to help sustain and improve agriculture in the province.
READ: District municipality boosts local agriculture
Malaza mentioned that Nkomazi, despite having so many rural schools, produces good results and he urged the community to work together to ensure children from rural areas succeed.
