The Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct (IEIP) in collaboration with the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the Umsunduzi Municipality will be hosting the Green March campaign in commemoration of the World Environmental Day at the Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 05 June 2022.

The Green March is aimed at creating awareness about environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, natural resources depletion and waste disposal and promoting environmental sustainability. The campaign also seeks to conscientise students about the importance of greening the institution and being environmentally friendly.

Mrs Celiwe Chemane-Nyathi, Manager: Midlands Student Housing and Residence Life.

Giving insight on the campaign, the IEIP Project Manager, Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi said: “This campaign is in line with the World Environmental Day that is commemorated annually on the 05th of June. The 2022 World Environment Day campaign themed Only One Earth encourages worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment. It calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore the planet. DUT feels the need to celebrate this day because it cares about its people and the environment.”

He added that the objectives of the Green March include:

Educating the students and the community about the significance of keeping the environment free from litter.
To introduce the Green Campus Initiative to the students.
Create awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, Shozi stated that the march will commence with brief presentations that will be done by different stakeholders at the DUT Sports Centre, Indumiso campus; followed by a clean-up that will start from the DUT Indumiso campus residences, Imbali Crossing to the DUT main gate.

This is the first time that IEIP is hosting such an event, however, Shozi revealed that it will be a continuous programme, to ensure that the objectives are achieved.

For now, the Green March is only open to the DUT community, however, there are plans of including the community of Imbali on the next one.

Pictured: Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi, IEIP Project Manager

Simangele Zuma