By Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
Learners from NV Cewu Primary School came in their numbers to participate in the Makana Green Fun Run at Rhodes University Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
The Makana Fun Run is an annual event when all members of the Grahamstown community are invited to run – or stroll – along the streets of our beautiful town. It aims to build new friendships, give an opportunity to appreciate how lovely Grahamstown really is and, of course, raise funds and awareness to help keep the environment properly looked after. During this year’s run, I stopped some of the children to talk to them about what everyday things they do to protect the environment.
The kids were very excited to tell me about their different methods, which thrilled the more official people at the run as well. “It is important to involve children in events like these because they will go back and educate their parents and communities about environmental issues,” said Safety, Health & Environmental Officer at Rhodes University, Nikki Kohly.
Below are the 10 different methods that children from various schools in Grahamstown say we can use in order to save the environment and to ensure that our surroundings are always clean:
Digging holes to bury dead animals
“Children should dig up holes or ask someone older for help so that they can bury their dead dogs or cats instead of throwing them carelessly on the ground because they stink.” – Aphokuhle Dayimane from NV Cewu Primary School.
Re-using margarine containers and other things
“Re-using is a good way of saving the environment because if people use their aromat, margarine and mayonnaise containers for other purposes that means that there is less rubbish that is going to be thrown outside on the ground.” -Vuyolwethu Skera from NV Cewu.
Placing papers, tins and bottles into separate bins
“There should be separate bins for tins, glass and papers so that people can know which one to use to dispose their rubbish”. – Likho Mlombi from Riebeeck East Combined School.
“I would even take the bottles for recycling but there is no recycling center in Grahamstown.” – Thethelwa May from Riebeeck East Combined School.
“People should pick up broken bottles and put them in the bins because that is what I also do.” – Lindokuhle Kula from NV Cewu.
“Rather put glass in bins and not plastic packets. Plastic gets cut.” – Aviwe Ngandi from NV Cewu.
Planting trees at home
“Planting trees can help us to have clean air to breathe and trees can make our homes look beautiful.” – Libona Ncanywa from D.D. Siwisa Primary School.
Recycling
“Ppeople can save the environment by recycling paper, plastic and other things.” – Onela May from Riebeeck East.
Engaging in programs that promote environmental sustainability
Vuyolwethu Skera from NV Cewu Primary School came to participate as a runner in the Makana Green Fun Run because he believes that his participation will contribute towards saving the environment.
The municipality’s role
“The municipality should provide communities with bins so that people can stop littering things on the streets.
– Bulelani Dastile from NV Cewu.
Scheduling time to pick up papers at least once a week.
Mihlali Sikho from NV Cewu says that they pick up papers every Friday in their school and after they finish eating they put food containers inside the bins.
Ali-ahmed Syed-Cassim from Graeme College and his sister Tahzeeb Syed-Cassim from Victoria Primary School save the environment by picking up litter and throwing it in the bin.
Putting garbage inside the bins
Sango Mchuba, Bulelani Dastile and Akhona Ndabanganye, all from NV Cewu said that throwing papers in the bin instead of throwing them on the ground is a good way of ensuring that our environment stays clean.
Keeping one’s school environment neat
Sinoxolo Magopeni from NV Cewu tells us that he and his friends always sweep the floors at his school to ensure that it stays clean and beautiful.
The kids were excited to walk beside their parents together with other members of the Grahamstown community Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
Kids chat with Rhodes students just before the important event could start Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
Libona Ncanywa from D. D. Siwisa Primary School proudly holds her Spekboom tree which she received after participating as a runner Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
Siblings, Ali-ahmed and Tahzeeb Syed-Cassim pause for the camera together with their parents and younger brother after having said how they save the environment Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
Learners from Riebeeck East Combined School will be walkers for the day Picture: Ntombovuyo Ngaphu
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