College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2011 Highlights ...

Recycling at schools project
This project is focused on creating awareness amongst school children with regards to recycling of waste. Partners in this project
are the Department of Environmental Sciences of Unisa, Nets-Africa, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Jahmy Cleaning
and Recycling.
A series of events were organised on 8 and 9 March, 18, 19 and 20 October in the Benoni area in Ekurhuleni during school
time to raise Environmental Awareness under the pupils. The counsellor of the area also gave a short speech to motivate learners
and teachers. Questionnaires were distributed amongst pupils to determine their level of awareness. Many were eager to fill in
the “test”.
awards Awards
Working with Communities is her Passion
Mpho and his team presented a play to bring the message of “there is money in waste” and good waste management creates
a clean environment. Unisa was provided the opportunity to give a talk on recycling in terms of why is recycling important and
what becomes of the recyclable material.
On request training for teachers were provided by Unisa lecturers. Unisa will also provide recycling posters and stickers for the
waste bins to assist them in their recycling initiatives. Follow-up visits will be done to the schools.
The champion teacher are requested to keep book of the waste collected, and the information made available to us to measure
the success of the project. More than 350 questionnaires were filled in by teachers and learners will be evaluated and used for
research. 25 schools in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane had been visited.
Ms Melanie Nicolau, Chair of the Department of Geography in the College of Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences was awarded a certificate “Honorary Citizen of College of Economic
Management Sciences for her contribution in the field of Community Engagement”
Jahme Cleaning and Recycling ensured
that the pupils at the Benoni Primary
school in Actonville learn about reduce,
re-use and recycling
Growing and honing horticulturists at Garden World
Growing and honing horticulturists at Garden World (herb garden): The bench in the herb garden is a peaceful place to sit
and enjoy the colourful flowers and breathe in the scents of lavender. The colourful succulent Kalanchoes in the foreground also
provide year round colour, but have low water requirements compared to the containers.
Growing and honing horticulturists at Garden World (gravel pathway): A gravel pathway rings the island of dill, mustard,
origanum and wild garlic, which grows around the base of three wild olive trees. Beneath the gravel is a layer of weedmat, which
suppresses weed growth and keeps the gravel clean, while still allowing precious water to soak into the soil.
Learners filling in the questionnaires
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