Michael Beckley discovered the Spekboom Challenge one day while on Facebook. The student-teacher at IR Griffith Primary School and a Northcliff resident was impressed by the environmental benefits of the wonder plant and has pledged to take on the challenge with the school, challenging other schools to do the same.
The Spekboom Challenge has become a viral challenge which has encouraged South Africans to plant the succulent, as it is exceptionally effective in the absorption of Carbon Dioxide. The plant can be found in the Eastern Cape, however, its low maintenance allows the plant to grow anywhere, as long as it receives a great deal of sun. The plant can be kept as a pot plant or grown outside.
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Beckley has planned to plant the seedlings of the plant across the edge of the field at the school. The benefits outlined by Beckley are the environmental positives, the excitement and morale this can build amongst learners as well as the supplemented aesthetic the plants will add to the school grounds. The school has secured enough sponsorship from local businesses for 1 000 seedlings at IR Griffith.
After Beckley approached the school with the idea, he thought it would be a great opportunity to expand this project to neighbouring schools. The call to action has given more schools the opportunity to take part, plant the Spekboom seedlings (which are available at your local nursery) and encourage learners to do the same in their backyards. This has been outlined as an ongoing project and Beckley has hoped that many other schools and businesses will take up the challenge to make a small change, for a big difference.
See the Schools Spekboom Challenge Facebook Page for more information.
Details: Email: mbeckley079@gmail.com
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