Keep Kouga Green campaign launched

At the Keep Kouga Green launch were Sea Vista Primary teacher, Hilda Kyle, and learner, Connie Jonas, Mzingisi Primary teacher, Patrick Cunge, and learner, Seithat Tsele, Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, St Patrick’s Primary teacher, Mignon Smith, and learner, Raydan Palmer, Graslaagte Primary teacher, Caureen Meyer, and learner, Theorise Beerwinkel. Photo:SUPPLIED

A call has gone out to local primary schools to help make Kouga the greenest municipality in both the Eastern Cape and South Africa.

The challenge is part of the Keep Kouga Green campaign, which was officially launched by Executive Mayor,Horatio Hendricks, last week.

Four primary schools – Graslaagte, Mzingisi, St Patrick’s and Sea Vista – joined the Mayor for the launch at Humansdorp.

Hendricks said that the aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of climate change and how each one of us can help to slow it down and reduce its harmful impact.

“Climate change is one of the most complex issues facing us today. It is a global problem, but it affects local communities.

“The focus of the campaign will, therefore, be on communities and promoting responsible environmental behaviour, so as to facilitate sustainable growth,” he said.

Kouga Environmental Specialist, Nomvelo Siwela, said the purpose of the “Green School Competition” was to encourage schools to become more environmentally conscious.

“Kouga came second in the Eastern Cape Greenest Municipality competition last year. Our aim is to do even better this year and we believe our schools can help us achieve that.

“Participating schools will be audited monthly and the top three winners will be chosen at the end of the cycle, based on their portfolios of evidence,” she explained.

THE four primary schools at the launch were each represented by 15 “green ambassadors”, who received badges from the Mayor and Kouga Speaker, Hattingh Bornman.

Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said: “The Ambassador Programme is an opportunity for scholars to draw upon their unique skills and talents to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Also present at the launch to share some of their experience with the youngsters were the Gamtoos Irrigation Board, Farming God’s Way, Green Energy and a delegation from the United Kingdom.

Graslaagte Primary wrapped up the event with the classic Boney M song: “Don’t kill the world” before the schools each received trees to plant at their premises.