The Pietermaritzburg Campus Management Forum (PCMF) has launched its Green Campus Campaign, an initiative that encourages students and staff to beautify and take responsibility for spaces they occupy, as well as, to recycle waste material.
More than 100 staff and students attended the opening, which included a poetry reading and modelling of clothing made from recycled plastic.
Master of Ceremonies, Ms Naledi Zama, a PhD candidate in the School of Life Sciences, welcomed guests and spoke about the successful anti-litter drives hosted by the PCMF on UKZN’s PMB campus that had attracted scores of staff and students. Zama said there were plans to work with student residences in future drives and encouraged students to ensure that they keep their spaces clean.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science and Pietermaritzburg Campus Director, Professor Albert Modi, said the goal is simple: to have a healthy, safe and happy campus environment. He lauded staff and students working together to achieve this, saying it was exciting to see anti-litter drives led by students.
‘In the context of the now commonplace events of violence, crime and disruptions in our institutions of learning, we are confident that the Green Campus Campaign will set a positive tone, reminding us that we are members of the same family,’ he said.
He invited the Msunduzi Municipality to join the University’s efforts to improve the city’s environment, saying the campaigns – along with a robust recycling initiative – contributed to the broader efforts to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
At the launch, prizes were given to students who took part in the PCMF competition to develop a logo, slogan or mascot for the campaign. The overall winners were Mr Siyabonga Nhadevele for his logo and Ms Nokwazi Maphisa for her slogan: Be the difference in order to see the difference.
Awards were presented to three students: Ms Zama Chamane, Ms Faith Sibiya, and Ms Nqobile Mthembu for their loyalty and consistency in assisting at clean-ups. Mr Lindokwakhe Malinga and Ms Zoleka Mkhize received lucky draw prizes.
Ms Dayle Trotter Boardman of the Discipline of Geography spoke on integrated waste management, saying that better waste management was everyone’s business.
Mr Philasande Mkhafane spoke about the campaign’s recycling initiative which will begin in 2020 with co-operation between staff, students and other organisations.
Ms Shamla Naidoo thanked the various sponsors including Chemlog, Tamleigh Caterers, Forever Fresh, Walton’s, Dynachem, Debonairs, Checkers, Food Lover’s Market, Ebhodweni Caterers, Gaycraft Signs and Asmalls. She also thanked the Green Campus Campaign committee, and said the PMCF looked forward to achieving more and writing more success stories.
The event concluded with videos about the environment, while the Sustainable Living Student Organisation organised and facilitated games, including an environmental version of 30 Seconds, and a tug-of-war contest.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photographs: Kusthuri Chetty
