“The purpose of this programme is to create awareness about environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, natural resources depletion and waste disposal and promote environmental sustainability. The campaign also seeks to conscientize students about the importance of greening the institution and being environmentally friendly. If you are a leader, you do not lead by a title, but you lead by actions. As DUT, we must show love to the surrounding environment and people. This is because we care,” said the excited DUT Midlands Student Housing and Residence Life Manager, Mrs Celiwe Chemane-Nyathi during the Green March Campaign.
The Green March was held by the Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct (IEIP) in collaboration with the Durban University of Technology (DUT): Department of Student Housing and Residence Life, Vuna Leadership Academy and the Umsunduzi Municipality in commemoration of the World Environmental Day at DUT, Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 05 June 2022.
The March commenced with brief presentations that were delivered by different stakeholders at the DUT Sports Centre, Indumiso campus; followed by a clean-up that started from the DUT Indumiso campus residences, Imbali Crossing to the DUT main gate.
Students during the Green March Campaign.
The Green March was attended by various esteemed guests which are: Mr Mbongeni Mathe: uMsunduzi Municipality General Manager- Community Services, Mr Vusi Ngwenya: Local Councillor, Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi: IEIP Project Manager, Mrs Celiwe Chemane-Nyathi: DUT Midlands Student Housing and Residence Life Manager, Mr Nkululeko Zondi: DUT Ecotourism Lecturer, Mr Masiza Ngculu: DUT Student Governance and Development Manager, Ms Luyanda Zuma: Miss S.A top 30 finalists, just to mention a few. The Imbali Unit 1 community members, 230 students both from Midlands and Durban DUT Campuses also attended and participate in the programme.
Giving insight on the campaign, Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi: IEIP Project Manager said the campaign is in line with the World Environmental Day that is commemorated annually on the 05th of June. He also acknowledged the uMsunduzi Municipality for bringing tools and donating plastic bags and protective gear.
“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. This programme will be done continuously to ensure that the objectives are achieved, and it yields fruitful results,” stated Mr Shozi.
He added that the objectives of the Green March included educating students and the community about the significance of keeping the environment free from litter; To introduce the Green Campus Initiative to the students, and to create awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental sustainability.
Mr Vusi Ngwenya: Local Councillor when doing the opening remarks and welcome emphasized the importance of nature conservation and sustainability.
“In pursuit of economic growth, we have mined and burned coal, extracted oil and gas, with an ever-growing appetite for meat, we have engineered and increased the number of cattle farms. All of these contribute to climate change and global warming. We only have one earth, we cannot afford to misuse and damage it,” said DUT’s Mr Nkululeko Zondi.
Mr Masiza Ngculu, DUT Student Governance and Development Manager, gave more insight on leadership and emphasize the importance of serving others as a leader. He said leadership is a lifestyle that needs to be practised daily.
Unpacking the Green Campus Initiative (GCI), Sibonginkosi Ntuli, a DUT second-year Business Administration (BA) student who is also a Chairperson for the Green Campus Initiative said GCI is a student organization that aims to promote sustainability and conservation of natural resources and wildlife through the implementation of different environmental awareness campaigns.
“GCI also promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages innovative ideas that ignite entrepreneurship in students and the DUT community. We also seek to transform the campus environment to be eco-friendly and promote sustainability,” said Ntuli.
Mr Mbongeni Mathe, uMsunduzi Municipality General Manager- Community Services thanked the DUT management, Local Councillor, DUT students and the community members who contributed and participated in ensuring that Imbali Unit 1, ward 19 is clean.
“We have different waste management programmes that we will be initiating very soon which we want to implement in partnership with DUT. It is our responsibility to conscientise communities about the significance of keeping the environment clean,” highlighted Mathe.
Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi: IEIP Project Manager in his closing remarks thanked the students for their contribution to making sure that the programme was a success.
Later on, the day, the uMsunduzi Municipality truck came to collect the waste for recycling.
Pictured: Mr Masiza Ngculu, Mr Vusi Ngwenya, Mrs Celiwe Chemane-Nyathi, Mr Mbongeni Mathe and Mr Mfanozelwe Shozi.
Photo cred: Kusa Kusa Media
Sindisiwe Ndlovu
