World Environment Day with Miss Earth South Africa team
Miss Earth South Africa’s special initiative on World Environment Day turned a forgotten corner of Zodiac Primary into a vegetable garden.
The Miss Earth South Africa team led a tree planting and vegetable garden project at Zodiac Primary School in Lenasia in celebration of World Environment Day.
The initiative focused on planting trees and creating a sustainable vegetable garden on the school grounds.
More than just a greening activity, this project aimed to inspire and educate young learners, particularly the Grade Three pupils, about environmental stewardship, food security, and collective action.
Through collaborative efforts led by Miss Earth South Africa and partners including Cathay Pacific, Skin Renewal SA, Samsonite, 9Five Fertilizers, Wild Route, 3Sixty Compost and Toyota Knights, the Grade Three learners transformed a barren and forgotten corner of the school into a beacon of hope and sustainability.
Ella Bella Leite, director of the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership and Empowerment Programme, said: “Our goal is to plant more than just trees and vegetables; we are planting seeds of hope, knowledge and responsibility.
“Together with our partners, we are showing learners what it means to care for the earth and for each other. It is about people and planet. This garden is an example of how environmental action and social impact go together, reminding us that by investing in the youth and their home, we can nurture a better future for everyone.”
The newly established vegetable garden will be integrated into the school’s feeding scheme, directly contributing to nutritious meals for learners and reinforcing the school’s role as a safe, supportive space for children to grow, both academically and physically.
This is a positive step forward in tackling food insecurity in the community, one garden at a time.
The day was filled with energy, education and purpose as learners got their hands dirty alongside volunteers and representatives from each partner organisation.
Armed with tools and full of excitement, the children learned how to care for their new garden, gaining practical skills that will last a lifetime.
