Eden College Eco-warriors bag prestigious award
The Platinum 1 Decade Award is a significant recognition given to schools that have achieved outstanding environmental stewardship and have been actively involved in the Wessa Eco-Schools programme for a decade. This award highlights a school's commitment to sustainability, environmental education, and creating a greener future.
Also read: WATCH: Durban's eco-warrior puts the planet first
Among the categories honoured are those that recognise the vital contributions of youth who are shaping the future of conservation, individuals whose dedication and passion inspire change, and corporates making significant strides toward sustainability. Additionally, groups and teachers are acknowledged for their collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to environmental education.
Eden College Durban is busy with its annual Rhino Footsie Walk, which raises funds for Project Rhino. This term, they are also doing a beach clean-up at the Durban Mangrove site and raising funds for the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
16-07-2025
- The Herald
How schools are being built for extreme heat — without aircon
When prize-winning architect Francis Kere was growing up in Burkina Faso he spent his schooldays in a gloomy classroom that was so stifling he says it would have been better suited to making bread than educating children. Years later, while studying abroad, Kere returned to his home village to build a light and airy school where children could learn in comfort despite temperatures that can hit 45°C. But the Berlin-based architect did not use air conditioning. Instead he incorporated a host of cooling features into Gando Primary School that he has since applied to projects around Africa. Kere, who won architecture's highest honour, the Pritzker Prize in 2022, is among architects pioneering sustainable school designs for a warming planet. 'My own school was so hot it was hard to concentrate,' he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. 'So I wanted to build a school that would be comfortable and inspiring for children.' Studies from Brazil to Vietnam show heat significantly affects learning. In a report last year, the World Bank warned climate change was threatening educational attainment, creating an 'economic time bomb'. Experts say classrooms should be no hotter than 26°C. In Gando, villagers were initially shocked when Kere announced he would build the school from clay, but the material is a natural temperature regulator, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Concrete and plate glass may look contemporary, but Kere said they make buildings hot, necessitating air conditioners. This creates a vicious circle. Energy-intensive air conditioners, which expel hot air outdoors, contribute to global warming, which then fuels demand for more air conditioning. Instead, Kere uses passive cooling techniques.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
School turns plastic waste into wheelchairs
Since the beginning of the year, Trinityhouse Little Falls (THLF) has been collecting plastic bottle tops as part of a recycling drive, and it has turned into something bigger than they expected, as they have recently handed over 226kg to the Tops and Tags for Wheelchairs organisation. The programme works by exchanging recycled plastic bottle tops for wheelchairs, which are then donated to people who need mobility support. According to Gill Gray, a foundation phase teacher at THLF who co-ordinated the project, the school's involvement is part of a broader environmental education programme run in partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). 'There were no set goals when we started,' Gill says. 'Our aim was just to fill one wheelie bin. We didn't expect to collect over 200kg in our first drop-off.' The success of the collection drive came down to participation from across the school. Bins were placed at the entrance to make drop-offs easy, and reminders were given during assemblies. Learners helped weigh, pack, and load the bottle tops for delivery, and families played a big role in bringing in large quantities of plastic. 'This was a team effort. Learners, staff and families got involved,' Gill further explains. As a WESSA Eco-School, THLF introduces a new environmental project each year, and the bottle top project is one of several recycling activities at the school. THLF also collects white paper and recently launched its Eco-Brick project, where learners and families pack soft plastics into bottles to be used as building materials. A competition is currently underway to see which class can make the most Eco-Bricks. Gill expresses that the most rewarding part of the initiative was knowing that their efforts would help provide wheelchairs to people in need. 'This project showed learners that recycling isn't just about the environment – it can change lives too. Every bottle top counts.' The collection of bottle tops will continue throughout the year, and the school plans to keep growing its recycling projects. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
Thembisa NPO turns dumping sites into community spaces
The local environmental NPO Clean Environment has been on a mission to tackle illegal dumping across Thembisa since 2017, transforming more than 100 dumping sites into sustainable spaces like mini gardens, car washes and small parks. The Tsenelong Section NPO has built a reputation for reclaiming neglected areas, turning them into clean, functional community spaces. The NPO aims to remove waste and create environments that discourage future dumping. 'This started in our section,' said Tshepang Motaung, the co-founder of Clean Environment. ALSO READ: Illegal dumping now criminal offence in Ekurhuleni 'We noticed many tenants dumping plastic and rubbish in open spaces. What motivated us to keep going is that many communities supported us, and after we cleaned, they maintained the spaces. Not all areas do, but most of them.' The group, comprising five dedicated volunteers with the NPO since the beginning, also runs weekly educational campaigns in communities to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal dumping and promote a cleaner environment. One of the NPO's milestones was launching its recycling business, now in its second year. 'When cleaning, we noticed many recyclables. That's when the idea for a recycling business started,' Motaung said. The income supports their clean-up efforts, although financial challenges persist. 'We don't always have PPE or the tools we need, so we bring what we can from home to keep going.' While community members often respond positively during clean-ups, maintaining the cleaned spaces remains challenging. 'Some areas go back to being dumping grounds shortly after we clean,' Motaung explained. ALSO READ: Illegal dumping on Modderfontein Road remains an eyesore The NPO tries to involve local ward councillors in their campaigns, but often ends up working alone. However, the CoE's Thembisa Waste Office was a consistent supporter, helping with rubbish collection, tractor loader backhoes and tipper trucks for rubble removal. One of their most impactful recent projects was cleaning a bridge that had become a health hazard and an obstacle for pedestrians. 'The waste blocked the bridge, so crossing it was unsafe. We couldn't just walk past, so we organised a clean-up,' said Motaung. The team restored the bridge with support from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), the Dipalesa Foundation and two community members. Looking ahead, Clean Environment plans to launch a campaign called #KeGame in partnership with the WESSA. This initiative will combine clean-ups with educational awareness drives in Thembisa, running weekly or biweekly. An upcoming focus area will be Winnie Mandela Zone 4. 'We randomly select some of the worst dumping sites and clean them to benefit the community. We're committed to keeping Thembisa clean, one spot at a time,' Motaung said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
