Rewards Roadshow Recap: Leg 2 – Limpopo

Leg 2 of our National Roadshow – the Northern Regional Rewards Ceremony – took place at Lapalala Wilderness School in Limpopo.

Schools from Gauteng and Limpopo came together for an inspiring getaway, taking the weekend to celebrate their impressive strides in environmental stewardship.

Celebration was woven throughout the two-day event, acknowledging the remarkable progress schools have made in effectively embedding sustainability.

Over 40 schools from Gauteng and Limpopo arrived on Friday afternoon for a dinner reception and rewards ceremony. The Saturday saw an immersive day of sunrise game drives in the scenic Lapalala Wilderness, opportunities for networking and peer learning, and an interactive lesson-planning workshop.

In total, participating schools received their share of over R40,000 in prize money and resources. These awards recognise the progress made by educators and learners who have championed eco-friendly practices, reflecting a diverse range of sustainability-focused actions such as tree planting, vegetable gardening, recycling, water conservation, and community outreach.

Recognising the Northern Region’s Finest

While numerous schools were acknowledged for their ongoing efforts, the following schools stood out for their exceptional leadership and impact:

• Most Sustainable School (Northern Region): Phelang LSEN School – Awarded a trophy and R2,000 for exemplary leadership in integrating sustainability across multiple focus areas.
• Biodiversity Network 1st Place: Raphela Higher Primary School – Received R3,000 for successfully planting indigenous trees and establishing a thriving vegetable garden.
• Health & Well-Being 1st Place: Ntokozweni Primary School – Awarded R3,000 for its three-greenhouse vegetable garden that supports both the school feeding scheme and local families.
• Energy & Climate Action 1st Place: Selcourt Primary School – Granted R3,000 for innovative climate awareness efforts, including weather data collection and a student-led drama on global warming.
• Water & Sanitation 1st Place: Chumana Primary School – Earned R3,000 for implementing grey-water reuse systems and hosting World Water Week celebrations.
• Production, Consumption & Waste 1st Place: De La Salle Holy Cross

College – Presented with R3,000 for robust recycling initiatives and creative upcycling

activities like a ‘Trashion show’ and success in a TetraPak collection  competition.

• Community & Social Responsibility 1st Place: Gojela High School – Awarded R3,000 for refurbishing the school library with upcycled materials and mobilising community volunteers for sustainability projects.

 Special Prizes

In addition to these main categories, special prizes were given to schools and individuals who demonstrated exceptional commitment, such as:

• Most Improved School: Kgatabela Primary School – Won a Captain Fanplastic clean-up lesson and kit for showing significant progress in integrating sustainability.
• Green Economy Award: Ntata Secondary School – Recognised for creating community job opportunities and received a R600 Checkers voucher to further support their project.
• Most Dedicated Teacher Awards: Three teachers, including Ms. Phumzile Mayise (Zamani Primary School) and Mrs. Magongwa (ND Mokonyane Primary), and Ms, Noko Linah Matlala (Leubaneng Primary) each received R800 Faithful to Nature vouchers for their unwavering efforts in promoting environmental education.

Acknowledgements

We extend deep gratitude to Lapalala Wilderness School for co-hosting the ceremony and providing an unforgettable wilderness experience, as well as to Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy, Mapula Trust, and Leisure Charitable Trust for their unwavering support in promoting environmental education.