IN conjunction with the World Forestry Congress in Durban, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) hosted a march through Durban on Thursday, 10 September to highlight pollution concerns.
With Arbour Day being celebrated this month, the local organisation along with Timber watch and the Civil Society Alternative Programme aimed to educate people on the importance of environmental justice and preservation of forests.
While hundreds, including many high school pupils, gathered to march from City Hall to Speakers Corner to raise awareness, South Durban schools presented posters about trees and the environment to show the need for forests, not plantations.
Hundreds of pupils from Assegai Primary School, Austerville Primary School, Collingwood Primary School, Durban East Primary school, Junagarth Road Primary school, ML Sultan St Marys Primary School, Gardenia Primary School, Nizam Road Primary School, Parsee Rustomjee Primary School, Wentworth Primary School and Settlers Primary School proudly displayed their posters to passersby.
According to SDCEA environmental project officer, Noluthando Mbeje, the aim of the awareness march was to highlight the horrors of pollution, community destruction, water resources and the destruction to natural environments.
“This was such a great achievement and learning experience for the youth and children of South Durban. It’s important we focus and educate our children and youth as they are the future leaders,” said Mbeje.
