MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
12 JUNE 2018
TSWAING LEARNERS COMMEND DEPARTMENT’S AWARENESS WORKSHOPS ON ENVIRONMENT
Mahikeng-Learners from various schools within the Tswaing Local Municipality commended North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development’s initiative of taking workshops on preservation of environment to their schools.
This workshops and community engagements which are currently taking place in Tswaing Municipality are part of on-going educational programme of the department aimed at sensitizing communities about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of environment and surroundings and creating awareness on the challenges of illegal dumping areas within various communities.
One of those areas targeted by this programme for this year is Agisanang location in Sannieshof. The area has challenges of waste management and needs urgent attention.
Officials from the department working with their counterparts from national ministry of environment have been working tirelessly in this area since beginning of June month this year educating and engaging communities in order to avoid environmental degradation.
South Africa has adopted the entire month of June to heighten awareness of environmental issues through various pertinent activities.
The theme for this year’s campaign “Beating Plastic Pollution, If you can’t re-use it recycle it ” urges governments, industries, communities and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic products.
Eradicating plastics pollution begins with small, individual consumer actions such as avoiding single-use plastic products; and with recycling existing plastic products wherever possible.
Selected schools which were visited by departmental officials for workshops included Lebogang Primary, Tumisang Primary, Naledi Primary all in Ottosdal, J.S. Masisi Primary, Lillian Lehetla Secondary Primary, Phatsima Secondary, Manamolela Primary all in Atamelang, Goerge Madoda Primary in Delaryville, Refethuto Primary, and Agisanang Primary in Sannieshof.
Lerato Leroux (14yrs) a grade 7 pupil at Reatlegile Primary School in Matshelapad (Delaryville town) had the following to say after the workshop at her school: “I will share with my friends and parents what I have learned from the workshop especially about the importance of re-using plastics and recycling thereof.
“I wish that the people of Delareyville could stop littering and start protecting the environment,” concluded the 14 year old Leroux.
Another Grade 3 pupil Koketso Kgothatso of Manamolela Primary School said “The information we got is very informative and it made me aware that people in general take the environment issues for granted,” said Kgothatso.
The department will continue with this programme to other schools even after this month of June.
Apart from school workshops, the department has planned community engagements in Agisanang Township for the 15th of June, cleaning of dumping sites and selling of recyclable material on the 19th, mass cleaning campaign on the 20th and the main event will be held on the 22nd of June 2018 at Agisanang Township Stadium where MEC is expected to join the masses in promoting awareness on the importance of preserving biodiversity and encouraging change in attitude in order to save the world.
For the past decade, World Environment Day and campaigns platform have been used to raise awareness, support action and driving change.
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Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpread