Ecotourism students shook DUT’s Riverside campus main hall during the Ecotourism Tree of Legacy Campaign launch aimed at planting a legacy of recycling and conserving the environment on Friday 25 July 2014.

The Tree of Legacy campaign was inspired by the need for the DUT’s Ecotourism department to contribute to the ecotourism sector and the community.

Thembeka Tivane, a 2nd year Ecotourism student who is part of the brilliant campaign idea said, “Our aim is to teach everyone both young and old minds about how to make their environment healthy and about the cultural and natural characteristics of unique environments, while stimulating economic development opportunities in local communities.”

DUT’s department of Ecotourism has successfully engaged companies who collect recyclable material and in the end get money that would fund other clean up projects in the surrounding communities.

The launch is one of many projects that the students have spear headed. Last week, students went for a clean up campaign in Imbali Township and students said they delighted to show residents how beautiful it could be to clean up their living environment.

Ecotourism lecturer, Thuli Ndlovu said students focused on collecting recyclable material including glass and paper. She said the Ecotourism department had managed to dispose off the dirt they collected through their collaboration with Msunduzi municipality.

The department also formerly launched the House a Tree campaign through which students will plant a tree at every house to reduce carbonation and fight global warming. With this new recycling campaign, students aim to create a healthy environment by conserving and recycling.

“Our mission is give back to the community, simply meaning that this programme is continuous and we will take all recyclable material and put them to good use, by doing so we giving back to local communities,” said Tivane.

DUT alumni, Mlungisi Hadebe who now works for Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife was one of the guest speakers and gave students professional tips and how to cope in the industry.

At the end of the day, the students want to ensure that people are educated, have more information and know the importance of ecotourism.

-Gift Nyamapfene