WESSA Schools Programme

“A school garden is not merely a piece of cultivated land. It is a classroom without walls. It is a source of dignity, hope, empowerment, and learning,” shared by Mrs Gxuluwe, Director of the National School Nutrition Programme during her keynote address at the launch of the Nelson Mandela Bay District Food Garden Revival Programme.

Hosted at Westview Special School in Gqeberha, the launch marked an important step in establishing learner-led, sustainable market food gardens that support food security, environmental learning, climate-smart agriculture and school nutrition programmes.

This programme supports 53 schools across the district and was made possible by the Eastern Cape Department of Education, in partnership with WESSA, Giving Them Wings, Pick n Pay, Mandela Bay Development Agency and the Department of Agriculture.

Through seedlings, seeds, soil rehabilitation support, environmental education, training and ongoing mentorship, the programme will help schools grow thriving gardens that build practical skills, entrepreneurship, environmental awareness and community resilience.

Read more via our blog post: https://www.wessa.org.za/nelson-mandela-bay-school-gardens-grow-skills-nutrition-and-climate-resilience/

Meet South Africa’s 2026 Young Reporters for the Environment national winners!

WESSA celebrates Palesa Mosegedi from Segwaneng Primary School in the Northern Cape, for her winning photograph that captures learners harvesting vegetables from their school food garden, showing how schools can become spaces of learning, nutrition and climate resilience.

Palesa will also represent South Africa in the international YRE competition.

Read more via our website blog: https://www.wessa.org.za/wessa-announces-2026-young-reporters-for-the-environment-national-winners/

Meet South Africa’s 2026 Young Reporters for the Environment national winners!

WESSA is proud to celebrate Alyssa Govenden from Crawford International Lonehill in Gauteng for her winning podcast, Wasting Food Ruins the Mood.

It explores the impact of food waste on hunger, climate change and food security.

Read more via our website blog: https://www.wessa.org.za/wessa-announces-2026-young-reporters-for-the-environment-national-winners/

Alyssa will also represent South Africa in the international YRE competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POw_9tIbl4A

Wasting Food Ruins the Mood | WESSA YRE National Competition 2026 Winning Podcast Podcast Entry In this winning podcast entry for the WESSA Young Reporters for the Environment National Competition 2026, Alyssa Govenden, aged 12, from Crawford Internatio...

🌱 Practical solutions are taking root in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga!

Through WESSA’s Clean Air Fund project, the 'Clear Skies Eco-Schools support visit hosted about 200 Grade 6 and 7 learners at Nkonjane Primary School to take part in hands-on activities linking waste management to cleaner air.

From recycling education and Bokashi composting to Spekboom planting and establishing a school vegetable garden, learners explored how everyday actions can support healthier communities and a cleaner environment.

Read more via our website: https://www.wessa.org.za/clean-air-fund-project-practical-solutions-take-root-in-emalahleni-mpumalanga/

Thanks to our partners including Clean Air Fund, groundWork, the South African Waste Pickers Association - SAWPA, and representatives from the local municipality.

Clean Air Fund Project: Practical Solutions Take Root in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga - WESSA This session built on earlier engagements, reinforcing key lessons through hands-on environmental activities.