The Durban University of Technology’s Housing Committee – which recently scooped three awards for their role in energy conservation – continues to heed the “green call”, having had recently launched the Green Friday campaign.
Mbokodo Mbatha, Life Officer at the DUT Midlands Campus Student Housing Department said the Green Friday campaign, which started on August 24 encourages all University staff as well as its students to wear green coloured clothing on Fridays. This will happen until the University closes for the December holidays this year.
“The campaign will continue next year when the University resumes lectures. The intention of the campaign is to show the University our commitment to the revolution of minimising the carbon footprint and to send a message about the seriousness of climate change, while giving a reason for the urgent action from all citizens of the world. Since the campaign started, it has enjoyed a lot of support from students and they are very happy to be part of this campaign,” said Mbatha.
Khetha Mngadi, DUT Midlands Student Housing Manager emphasised that climate change must not be underestimated.
“We should put the issue (of climate change) on top of the agenda in everything we say and do. The matter needs urgent intervention especially from young people,” said Mngadi.
There have been a number of “green” activities at DUT as part of its vision to become the first carbon-neutral institution in South Africa.
On August 25, 2012, the Durban DUT Student Housing Department launched the Green Campus Initiative which seeks to raise awareness about climate change not only among students, but also among staff as well as their respective departments to be the part of the University’s “green” endeavours.
The University was also recently recognised for its green energy initiatives by renewable energy company Value SA for its efforts in decreasing the carbon footprint in the environment.
In July, DUT adopted a sustainable approach to waste management by launching the Go Green@DUT project which seeks to promote social responsibility as well as the adoption of a sustainable solution to the waste management problem at DUT.
– Sinegugu Ndlovu
Caption: Back row, from left: Innocent Khenisa (House Committee Member), Loyiso Hloele (House Committee Member), Sbonelo Ndlovu (House Committee Member), Thabisile Mkhize (House Committee Member), Bongiwe Mdadane (Residence Assistant), Mthokozeleni Dlamini (House Committee Member) and Mbokodo Mbatha (Residence Life Officer) show their support for the DUT Green Friday initiative.
