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New Brighton schools launch a recycling and food security programme

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The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) launched the Green Schools Challenge with 9 participating New Brighton Schools at the Mendi Art Centre at 09:00am on Friday, the 30th of September 2022. This initiative is a follow-up on an intensive five-day clean-up in May earlier this year, when private and public sector joined hands to combat illegal dumping in the area.

The Mandela Bay Development Agency has partnered with 9 schools in the historic township to introduce food security through gardening, water conservation, recycling, and waste management. The MBDA has empowered Non-Governmental Organisation, Giving them Wings Foundation to facilitate the programme through capacity building workshops and weekly visits that comprise monitoring and evaluation of gardens and recycling and upcycling.

MBDA Operation Executive, Debbie Hendricks said, “The Agency’s development mandate is to transform our communities by facilitating valuable partnerships and forging new ideas. We have dedicated all necessary resources and skills to ensure the success of this initiative.”

Of the 17 schools in New Brighton, a strong criterion was applied to track the record of
participation in other existing recycling programmes executed by The Waste Trade Company. The selected schools demonstrated active participation with proof of high learner involvement.

The 9 Schools are:

  1. Cowan High School,
  2. Molefe Primary,
  3. Charles Duna Primary School,
  4. Phendla Primary,
  5. BJ Mnyanda Primary,
  6. Sophakama High School,
  7. Ethembelihle Comprehensive School,
  8. Newell High School,
  9. Samuel Nongongo Primary School.

NMBM Deputy Executive Mayor, Mkhuseli Jack said, “I support this Green School Challenge wholeheartedly; I want the youth of today to get the support they need to achieve the utmost success. This is preparing them to produce food for the country. We are going to source more funds for such initiatives, and if I remain in council till 2024 – there won’t be any litter on our streets.”

This competition is a platform for schools to showcase environmental awareness, thus
exploring ways of being self-sufficient, innovative, and reduce their carbon footprint. The sustainable gardens will significantly assist the Department of Education National School Nutrition Programme that provides one nutritious meal to all learners in disadvantaged
primary and secondary schools.

Quarterly targets and milestones will be set for schools that will allow for:

  • Organic food production
  • Successful and consistent recycling practice
  • New approaches to waste management at school level
  • A broader understanding of the role township schools can play on climate change

In 12 months’ time, the Green School Challenge winners will be announced in the featured categories for the Best Food Garden, Best Recycling Program and Best innovation project overall.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s (NMBM) Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) provided 18 EPWP workers. Thanks to corporate and public partners, each school will receive 3 waste recycling bins, a rainwater harvesting tank, vegetable seed bags, gardening starter packs, indigenous trees, and a sizeable cash injection, with many more investors promising to pledge more resources.

This launch was made possible by MBDA’s collaborative efforts with Giving them Wings
Foundation, The Waste Trade Company, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment, Department of the Public Health, Department of Basic Education, Isuzu, ABSA, Continental Tyres, Lotto Star and the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform.

MBDA New Brighton Green Challenge
Deputy Mayor Khusta Jack gets down to work with pupils who have accepted the Green Challenge

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.