The first year students from the Department of Ecotourism (Midlands) campus recently visited Willowfountain Intermediate School in Pietermaritzburg to sensitize and engage with grade 11 and 12 pupils on critical environmental issues.

The community engagement initiative highlighted issues relating to water scarcity and the importance of re-using and recycling. The students branded initiative was held under the theme ‘Power of Change’- which signifies the need for ensuring that environmental stewardship is everyone’s business.

According to Thulile Ndlovu, a DUT lecturer from the Department of Ecotourism (Midlands), the initiative was a huge success, characterised by edutainment activities including presentations on environmental matters, games and quizzes to engage scholars and foster active participation.

“Ecotourism students were given a task to implement a community engagement project, which was assessed under the Ecotourism Practice (ECOP101) module. The students were given various tasks, from branding the project, marketing, promotions, seeking sponsorship, coordinating logistics, presentations and other relevant tasks,” said Ndlovu.

She further mentioned the key role players who helped to make the initiative a success.  “The event would not have been a success without the dedication of Ecotourism first years of 2018, the Department of Student Housing and Campus Catering, GCI coordinator Sanelisiwe Mthethwa, Umngeni Water, Wele from Amawele aseChesterville for his presence and support departments from DUT Riverside Campus and the warm welcome from Willowfountain Intermediate School principal, teachers and scholars,” added Ndlovu.

The initiative also served as a platform for marketing the Department of Ecotourism to prospective students.

Pictured: High school pupils during the community engagement initiative organised by the Department of Ecotourism in Midlands.

Sandile Lukhozi