A group of Gqeberha pupils put their best foot forward to raise awareness about environmental sustainability by taking to the streets to take a stand against pollution and ensure the wellbeing of their community for generations to come.
The Zwartkops Conservancy, in partnership with the Motherwell Community and Enviro Hub, closed off their annual Environmental Awareness training week with a march through the streets of Motherwell on Friday which was led by Buhlebendalo.
Buhlebendalo is a local initiative established in March 2011 and aimed at giving children aged 10-17 the opportunity to learn about the environment and the importance of caring for it.
Founder and co-ordinator Ntombozuko Patricia Ntabeni said she was happy with the growth of the organisation and the work it had been able to achieve.
“When I started, my goal as an environmental educator was just to ensure that as many children as possible had access to our environmental teachings,” she said.
“We make sure we celebrate all the different awareness days.
“If it’s water awareness, we focus on how to save water.
“If it’s wetlands, we learn about how to take care of our wetlands.”
Ntabeni said the children learnt about the environment through singing, dancing, poetry and drama.
The march is a way for them to express what they have learnt through their own voices.
“The children can be a voice for the environment,” Ntabeni said.
“They created the placards themselves and we encouraged them to write what they were feeling.
“As a result, some of the placards have environmental messages, while others speak about GBV and their concerns in society,” she said.
Jenny Rump of the Zwartkops Conservancy said that since its inception, Buhlebendalo had provided an important opportunity for the community to understand the importance of taking care of the environment.
“This initiative is a great way to keep the children off the streets,” she said.
“It gives them something to do while teaching them some very important lessons.
“It is important for them to know about the environment, and the feedback we get from some of the speakers who come in to talk to the children indicates that they are retaining the information and they practise what they learn in their homes and their communities.”
Ntombentsha Dlula, 14, joined Buhlebendalo when she was in primary school and has continued to champion the cause of environmental awareness.
“I love it so much,” she said. “I love how they teach us to take care of the environment.
“I love being outside so much and I hope that when I grow up I can also work in the environment field.”
The Herald
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