LIMPOPO – TO discourage young people from littering and to teach them the importance of protecting the environment, the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality’s community services division embarked on an environmental awareness drive in schools in the municipality.
The municipality visited Mmatholo Primary School in Tafelkop’s Ga-Matsepe section on Friday, where, in conjunction with the school’s learners, they picked up waste at illegal dumping sites and along the stream near the school.
Mahlatse Mokhulwane, social services manager at Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, said the campaign came after several illegal dumping sites were detected and littering in communities has increased.
Mokhulwane said the drive was a success, with the learners fully participating and showing interest in the environment.
“Through the initiative, we seek to encourage young people to care for the environment and make them aware of the dangers we are exposed to with dirt piling around,” said Mokhulwane.
The principal, Seetse Mohlala, praised the initiative, saying it had an impact as it taught the learners to care for the environment at a very young age.
Mohlala said, “when the learners know at a very early stage the dangers of not caring for the environment in which they live, the future will be very healthy.
“The learners will teach those at home to not litter. We have a problem with some residents who dump waste right in front of the school. The campaign helped us to clean the surrounding areas and we hope that those dumping waste here will learn a good lesson not to anymore.”
Mahlako Tjiane, a gr. 7 learner, said she was excited to participate in the drive as she understood how important it was to keep the environment clean at all times.
“I have learnt a valuable lesson today. I now know not to litter and how that may harm the environment if it continued,” said Tjiane.
