“Be the change you want to see in the world, if you are not prepared to do it yourselves, why should others follow you”. These were the wise words spoken by Bambanani Primary School principal, Mr Vuku Mpungese as he donned gloves and joined the Amazinizi community on October 17 in the rather unglamorous but necessary task of cleaning up the litter choked river that runs near their school. In 2010, Bambanani School, situated near Bergville, enrolled in the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) Eco-School program designed to encourage curriculum-based action for a healthy environment. It is an internationally recognised award scheme that accredits schools that make a commitment to continuously improving their school’s environment through action projects like indigenous garden and recycling schemes.
Unlike other schools that tentatively started out small, taking one environmental theme in their first year, Bambanani School’s passion for taking care of the Earth could not be contained and they ambitiously choose three action projects earning them a Green Flag in their first year for their tremendous efforts in environmental management and learning. Some years have passed and still Bambanani School is working hard to realise their vision for a healthy, happy environment that provides fresh water, clean air and good, fertile soils and enough habitable space for all creatures great and small.
Some of these projects that have been developed and expanded over the past five years have included a community recycling facility for many different streams of waste like tins, glass and glass, an organic gardens providing food for vulnerable families, as well as wetland training and rehabilitation project. When finances allow, excursions for teachers and learners to nearby places of cultural and natural beauty are encouraged. In these excursions they hope, will instil a value and sense of wonder for our incredibly diverse and abundant natural world and impress upon young minds and heart this importance of becoming a custodian and preserving ours earth’s finite resources for many generation to come.
This year, we would like to extend big congratulations to Bambanani School for earning their internationally prestigious flag for sustaining five years of environmental commitment. When asked how they have been able to achieve their goals, it is clear that many hands have been put to work making this school such a sterling example.
This is also evident in a broad representation of educators across the grades who enjoy teaching about the environment under the strong leadership and direction of Principal Mr Vuku Mpungese.
As Bambanani School has matured as graduate of the eco-school program, responsibility for environmental activities and monitoring project have now, rightly so, been delegated to the learners to embrace. Gumede Noncebo is one such eager grade six learner who has rallied together stakeholders, from the waste department of the municipality, the Health Department as well as concerned parents to do their bit to clean up and nurse their river back to health. Having been on a water quality training workshop organised by WESSA, node coordinator, Julia Colvin, the school eco-community has further plans to effectively monitor the condition and quality of their river using the Mini SASS tool.
SASS stands for South African Scoring System.
“Looking at the type and diversity of the bugs represented in a scoop of water, we are able to build a better picture of health of the river water’ explained Julia. “Some of these bugs or macroinvertes, like leeches and worms are tolerant of polluted water whilst others like Stoneflies and Mayflies will only be found only in clean, oxygenated water we expect to find in mountainous area’s close to the source”.
Project such as these, not only serve to broaden our awareness for the plight of our rivers, but also help to bring people together to build new skills, address challenges and have fun. If anyone is encouraged by this schools story and would like to find out more information, Please contact Julia Colvin Julia.colvin@gmail.com or alternatively contact 076 819 0615. Skills, advice and donations are always welcome. We are looking for donations like good library books, hay bales, compost, seedling or cutting from indigenous plants, JoJo tanks, water buckets and gardening tools.
