Sun International and WESSA Wrap Up Environmental Resilience Programme

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The three-year partnership between Sun International and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) to educate pupils about environmental resilience has come to a fruitful end.

For the past years, pupils in schools around the country have been supported as they created eco-classrooms to build environmental resilience in schools and their communities.

Sun International donated more than R2.6 million to support the programme in schools in areas surrounding their properties.

The project helped 19 schools learn about taking care of the environment and engaged with a broad reach of more than 25,900 learners and 600 teachers.

The mission included more than 5300 learners ranging from Grade 1 to 12, and culminated with three World Environment Week events, with learners thoroughly enjoying both their showcases and the engaging educational programme.

“Over the past three years, our Sun International Eco-Schools project has successfully supported schools create eco-classrooms where learners, teachers and school leadership used the eco-schools seven-step framework to chart a way to build resilience in their schools and communities,” said Heidi Edson, Sun International’s SED manager.

The Carnival City Eco-Schools project made a notable impact at two schools – Tsimong Primary and Buhlebemfundo Secondary – by transforming them into vibrant hubs of environmental education and action.

Learners and teachers actively participated in biodiversity workshops, citizen science surveys, and the creation of two indigenous biodiversity gardens featuring over 110 trees, shrubs, and succulents.

The learners celebrated Arbor Week by planting trees and presenting species research, while teachers took part in interactive workshops that integrated biodiversity, technology, and curriculum-based environmental learning.

These initiatives helped embed sustainability into the schools’ culture and fostered a deeper appreciation for local ecosystems.

In its third year, the project shifted its focus to sustainable waste management, launching school-based recycling programmes, joining the Sweethearts Foundation bread tag initiative, and preparing for a Waste Fashion and Art Show to showcase upcycling.

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Both schools achieved Silver Awards in 2024 and received the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag in March 2025, a testament to their commitment to sustainability, climate action, and empowering youth as environmental stewards.

Sun International’s environmental impact

Through thirty-teacher workshops, 260 environmental education sessions and hands-on activities like waste collection, the project fostered environmental stewardship and behavioural change.

A successful cleanup event further reinforced community engagement and sustainability practices, aligning with Sun International’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental impact.

The project made meaningful progress in advancing environmental education across four schools: Moduopo Primary, Ipontshe Primary, Ekukhanyisweni Primary, and Tembisa School of Specialisation.

“The initiative transformed school environments through the establishment of four biodiversity gardens and vertical greening projects. These efforts included the planting of over 150 indigenous species and fostered a deeper connection to nature by integrating ecological themes into classroom learning through the use of technology, creativity, and hands-on activities.”

Learners participated in biodiversity audits using citizen science apps, celebrated International Biodiversity Day with eco-walks and recycled bird feeders, and deepened their understanding of South Africa’s unique flora through plant propagation activities.

Teachers were equipped with innovative teaching tools at two themed workshops, aligning biodiversity education with the national curriculum. Recognition of excellence culminated at the WESSA Schools Awards, where Moduopo and Ipontshe Primary schools achieved the International Green Flag, and Christina Lephalala of Moduopo Primary was honoured as the FEE Teacher of the Year for her exemplary leadership and commitment.

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The Time Square Eco-Schools project supported two schools, which are Mamelodi Prevocational School and Soshanguve Secondary School – engaging students and teachers through immersive environmental education and biodiversity-focused activities.

The project was run under the internationally recognised Eco-Schools programme, developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and coordinated locally by WESSA for over 21 years.

“The programme cultivated a deep understanding of ecological issues through citizen science surveys, biodiversity index calculations, and field-based learning using apps like iNaturalist and PlantNet. Learners documented 269 species across birds, insects, and trees, establishing a baseline for future restoration efforts,” concluded Edson.