POLOKWANE – Learners from Flora Park Comprehensive High School have been crowned national champions in the environmental category of the Youth Citizens Action Programme (YCAP).

Under the slogan #TheGroundIsOnDiet – Let’s Feed the Dustbin!, the learners led the charge against climate change, representing Limpopo at national level under the guidance of teacher Mmotie Agnes Mabotja.

Read more: Flora Park learners lead climate action with #TheGroundIsOnDiet project

The team identified littering and poor waste disposal as pressing environmental issues within their school.

Motivated to make a difference, they designed a project focusing on cleaner school spaces and promoting climate consciousness.

“They organised school-wide clean-up campaigns, interactive awareness sessions and creative messaging to change mindsets around littering,” said Mabotja.

She highlighted a standout achievement: Their outreach visit to Flora Park Comprehensive Primary School, where they educated younger learners on proper waste disposal and the urgency of climate action, leaving behind a lasting green legacy.

Being announced as national winners, Mabotja said, was one of the most defining moments of her teaching career.

“This project teaches young people that keeping our environment clean is not just responsibility – it’s a step towards combatting climate change and safeguarding our future.”

Competing nationally for the first time against learners from all eight provinces, the team impressed with their passion, unity and confidence.

Their efforts were recognised with a trophy, books, tablets and a R5 000 prize to sustain the project.