June 6, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
AN ENVIRONMENTAL education centre in Dobsonville, Soweto, was the first of its kind "in the heart of a township". These were the words of Ward Councillor Thys Nkutha, at the official opening of the complex.
The Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre, a Johannesburg City Parks initiative located in the 3,5-hectare Dorothy Nyembe Park, was opened amid pomp and fanfare on 3 June, to coincide with World Environment Day celebrations. World Environment Day is on 5 June.
Alex Chamber of Commerce Greening Group entertains
Christine Walters, the mayoral committee member for community development, roads and parks; Pumla Radebe, the chairperson of the City Parks board of directors; and City officials attended the function.
Also present was Miss Earth South Africa 2005, Sally Leong, and scores of learners from schools around Soweto.
The speeches were interspersed with singing and drama, focusing on environmental education, from the Alex Chamber of Commerce Greening Group, dressed in eye-catching green and yellow robes; Risune Higher Primary School; and Emisebeni Lower Primary school.
The centre, a beautifully designed structure constructed in keeping with ecological principles, would offer environmental education programmes to the community and schools in the south of Johannesburg, said Radebe. It would also cater for learners from the north of the city.
It is powered by solar energy instead of coal-generated power (electricity), and there are two, huge water tanks to collect rain water for use at the centre. A herb garden serves as a natural pharmacy and as an educational resource.
Radebe urged the community to take care of the centre and the environment. "The international theme for World Environment Day 2005 is 'Green cities plan for the future'. This theme is located within the context of driving a global agenda which aims to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; and promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues."
Environmental activities on offer at the new centre include ecological trails, games, puzzles and videos. It can be used for activities that enhance awareness about open space, biodiversity and conservation education, and can hold mini-conferences, workshops and environmental meetings.
World Environment Day, and the new centre, came at a time when the world was joining together in celebrating the vital role of the environment in sustaining life on earth, Radebe said.
"It should be understood that if environmental efforts are to be beneficial, they must take into account the needs and unique stewardship skills of the local people who have, in many instances, lived sustainably on the land for millennia - they could as well be called the original environmentalists," she said.
Walters said the City was working hard to bridge the sharp contrasts, both at an economic and environmental level, between the developed north and the developing south.
"The City of Johannesburg, with its 3,4 million people, 53 percent of whom are based in previously disadvantaged areas, is home to more than one million households and has the highest urbanisation rate in the country. In order to make sure that we cater for people who have not had the privilege of enjoying open spaces, the City has developed a policy to green the south."
Walters said the north of the city boasted more than three million trees, while the south had very few. About 20 000 trees had been planted by City Parks in the south but people were pulling out the young trees. "Over 300 000 trees, at a cost of R180-million, need to be planted in order to green the south."
City Parks ran numerous projects to assist schools in and around Soweto. The programmes on offer at the centre, she hoped, would be translated "into tangible environmental, quality projects" in schools and neighbourhoods.
Bontle ke Botho, the provincial clean and green campaign; My Dream Park Competition; School Greening Projects; Conservation Education for the Nation; and teacher support environmental education programmes are some of City Parks' environmental projects.
"The City has upgraded 35 parks around the city and is developing new parks in places like Ivory Park and Orange Farm. Melville Koppies has also been upgraded and we hope teachers will take their learners to these parks, which have been developed for their educational and recreational upliftment. There are also plans to upgrade Avalon Cemetery and we appeal to the community to help us turn this cemetery into a green, open space," Walters said.
Nkutha urged learners and educators to use the centre, described as a "first class environmental facility", and ensure that there was a sense of ownership and responsibility to keep the place in its pristine condition for future generations.
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