WESSA Annual Report 2023-2024

EDTEA (KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs) The EDTEA project made significant strides in enhancing curriculum support for schools across KwaZulu Natal, with a particular focus on disadvantaged community schools. By prioritising STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Art, and Mathematics) the project aimed to address critical gaps in education, particularly in encouraging critical thinking skills, which remain a major challenge in many schools. 198 learners 17 educators 105 boys and 93 girls IMPACT

Social Employment Fund (SEF) Project

in KwaZulu-Natal, with 22 young Enviro Champs hosted directly at uMngeni Valley. These Enviro Champs engage in critical environmental activities including conducting miniSASS (Stream Assessments), clearing illegal dumpsites, managing invasive alien species, maintaining trails, facilitating environmental awareness campaigns, and managing catchment areas through citizen science data collection. The project helps the Enviro Champs by offering employment and help reduce poverty in their homes. Over the past four years, uMngeni Valley has benefited greatly from the work of these Enviro Champs. Notable achievements include of promotional videos and images to enhance the visibility of the Education Centres’ work. Later this year, members of the Education Centres Unit, including the Senior Manager and Centre co-ordinators, will participate in a reciprocal exchange programme in

The Social Employment Fund (SEF) is a key component of Government’s broader Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Aligned to the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the initiative leverages public investment to create employment opportunities, counteract the economic impacts of Covid-19, and drive sustainable growth. As part of this stimulus, social employment is now a vital intervention for job creation and supporting livelihoods. In partnership with the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT), WESSA uMngeni Valley played a pivotal role in recruiting 1 000 local Enviro Champs in The ongoing collaboration between WESSA and the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN)-Edgewood continues to strengthen environmental education initiatives. Earlier this year, WESSA hosted 11 teacher trainers from Germany as part of an environmental education exchange programme. This initiative aimed at showcasing WESSA’s commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) involved all WESSA Education Centres, along with UKZN Edgewood campus. In addition to this exchange, EPIZ – a global learning centre focused on social justice, human rights, and the future viability of our world – provided funding to support the development

the creation and maintenance 22 kilometers of trails, the control of alien invasive species across 23 hectares and 25 water quality assessments conducted along uMngeni river systems and its tributaries within the reserve. Through the SEF project WESSA has provided financial relief to local youth from surrounding communities, while equipping them with valuable skills and knowledge essential for careers in the green economy. In addition WESSA absorbed five Enviro Champs into its internship programme enabling them to secure better opportunities within the environmental sector. Germany. This visit will offer the team valuable opportunities to share and acquire teaching strategies, with plans to visit various schools in Berlin. The knowledge and techniques gained during this exchange will be instrumental in further improving WESSA’s education programmes.

WESSA-UKZN and EPIZ collaboration

Teacher trainers from Berlin, German visiting the Nelson Mandela Capture site during their stay in South Africa

#We Are OneWESSA

WESSA ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024

16