More than 400 primary school learners in the Kouga region celebrated Global Wind Day (GWD) on June 15. The event was honoured across seven schools with a literacy competition themed ‘Hear the Wind Sing’.
Funded as part of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm education programme, this writing and creativity initiative was aimed at foundation phase, Grades 1, 2 and 3.
In preparation for GWD, learners created wind-related musical instruments and submitted correlating independent creative writing exercises, focused on the experience of creating their instrument.
Since 2014, local schools in this area have been celebrating this event, which is befitting as the province boasts some of the country’s best wind resources and is expectedly home to many of the largest and most prominent wind farms, playing a big part in the country’s wind energy sector.
Each school selected nine winners, comprising three winners per grade, to be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. The highlight of the competition, besides award certificates and sets of books, is no doubt the visit to Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm for the Grade 3 gold winners.
Tsholofelo Moote, economic development specialist at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, said, “Most children in the Jeffrey’s Bay areas are curious about our wind farm, but only see the majestic turbines when travelling past our project.
“Hence, children are always very excited to learn more about the importance of clean, renewable power and get to see the turbines up close.”
Participating schools included, Quagga Primary School, Gamtoosvallei Primary School, Pellsrus Primary School, Thornhill Primary School, Kruisfontein Primary School, Chigwell Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School and Weston Intermediate School.
“It is imperative that we help teach children about wind energy so that they understand it as a source of renewable energy that does not contaminate. It is unlimited and reduces the use of fossil fuels, which is one of the main causes of climate change.
“We hope that they will understand the importance of this source of energy and know it to be sustainable and in harmony with the environment, both for today and future generations,” said Moote.
Global Wind Day is a worldwide event, celebrated in more than 80 countries.
