Page 21 - Landscape-Issue128

FEATURE

JOHANNESBURG’S GREENING CHAMPIONS

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) recently held the 2023 Environmental
Awards ceremony, in recognition of those who have gone the extra mile in making
this city a greener and healthier place for all.

s the custodians of green open space
management, liveable park developments
Afor communities, planting trees and
promoting environmental consciousness and
education, JCPZ continues to advocate the need
for green living.
Since its inception in 2021, the competition
was designed to encourage community-based
organisations, non-governmental organisations,
greening groups and school based environmental
clubs to showcase their efforts and achievements
in greening their communities. Most of these
organisations have very little support and in
many cases use their own resources, but driven
by their love for the environment, participants
have succeeded in transforming once derelict
spaces and illegal dumping areas into pockets of
beautiful green spaces.
There were entries from 21 primary schools, Primary school 1st place winner: MC Weiler Primary School
four high schools and 11 NGOs and community-
based organisations within the city, all of which
had undergone rigorous selection processes,
adjudication and site inspections.
The awards ceremony was in line with
observing World Environment Day, a significant
date on the global environmental calendar and a
call to action for people to work collectively and
protect the environment.
This year’s theme, #BeatPlasticPollution,
concentrates on the dangers of plastic to the
environment, marine life, rivers, lakes, wetlands,
living species and landfills. The production of
most plastic is designed for single use and with
over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced
annually, only 10 percent of that is recyclable.
Governments globally should commit,
through legislation, that manufacturers reduce
the production and consumption of plastics
to end-users, so that they produce durable, re-
usable, recyclable and sustainable end products.
Plastic pollution has adverse effects on our High school 1st place winner: David Makhubo Secondary School
health, the economy and living organisms, from
the smallest marine life to reeds in the wetlands
in your neighbourhood.
All first place winners received R20 000. These
were as follows:
Primary school winner: MC Weiler Primary
School
High school winner: David Makhubo Secondary
School
NGO/CBO winner: Go Green Go Clean.
The competition promotes awareness about
the importance of looking after public open
spaces and natural resources. It encourages
community involvement in the management and
conservation of these spaces, whilst encouraging
greening and proper waste management
systems within communities.

www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com
NGO/CBO 1st place winner: Go Green Go Clean n

Landscape SA • Issue 128 2023 19