More honours for water heroes at Ebomvini Primary
The school hopes to inspire and encourage other schools and people to get on board.
The water explorer team from Ebomvini Primary in Izingolweni once again made waves, winning the youth category at the World Water Food and Air Awards (WAFA).
Last Thursday, HRH Princess Zama Zulu-Shange who is currently based in Denmark, came to the school to present them with the international award.
ALSO READ : Ebomvini Primary makes waves in London
Princess Zulu-Shange congratulated the school. “I am very excited and proud of you. I am speechless and feel like I need to cry because I am overwhelmed by joy. God bless you,” she said.
Teacher Poppy George said: “We are honoured to receive the WAFA award, it is so important that we look after our water resources and biodiversity as this will, in turn, ensure our food security in the future. WAFA inspires us to continue our efforts to help develop learners into caring citizens who value their natural environment.”
Princess Zulu-Shange was taken on a guided tour of the school to view the action projects undertaken by the school. These included the pond they built to attract frogs into their permaculture garden maintained with grey water and mulched to prevent evaporation as a key water saving activity of the school. The children explained how tippy taps were always available for washing hands and drinking buckets and cups were available in every class so water wastage is minimised.
“You are all a ray of light and hope not just for your school and community but for the whole world. I am deeply impressed by the knowledge around environmental issues the learners have demonstrated as well as their innovation, the eco-brick furniture is fantastic,” said the princess.
At the end of last year, the Ebomvini water explorer team was recognised as South Africa’s top water explorer team by an expert panel of sustainability specialists.
The team then went on to represent South Africa at the International Water Explorer event in London and were awarded the Innovation and Student’s Choice Award. Since then, they have spoken on radio stations such as Ukhozi FM, been filmed by SABC 3’s 50/50 and appeared on ENCA news and featured in many newspapers.
Water Explorer is an online fun, inspiring and educational programme which empowers learners to lead joint action on environmental issues looking through a ‘water lens’. Supported by GAP UK the programme started in 2014 and is implemented by a local partner, ACT (African Conservation Trust) in South Africa.
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