WESSA announces winners of Waste to Wealth Competition

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The awards ceremony marked the first year of a partnership between Waste to Wealth and WESSA Eco-Schools in the Western Cape, through which Waste to Wealth sponsors monetary prizes for all levels of eco-schools in the Western Cape, which enable the schools to purchase equipment to further their eco-schools project goals.

Items for sale

Some of the items that have been identified for purchase by the winning schools include water tanks, irrigation equipment, garden tools, security fencing, garden assistants, solar energy, digital white boards and tablets and equipment to build a pavilion from glass bricks.

The international Eco-Schools Programme has been implemented in South Africa for over a decade by WESSA. Schools participating in the programme are supported by regional node co-ordinators and strive to attain the coveted International Green Flag and Certificates of Achievement in recognition of better environmental management at their schools through the implementation of various projects initiated by teachers and learners.

The prizes were awarded as follows:

Bronze Category

First place: Rondeheuwel Primer in Bredasdorp (R10,000)
Runner-up: JJ Rhode Primary in Stellenbosch (R2,000)

Silver Category

First place: Springdale Primary in Lentegeur (R20,000)
Runner-up: Bay Primary in Kalk Bay (R5,000)

Green Category

First place: Kommandantsdrift Primary School, a rural school in Herold, Uniondale (R25,000)
Runner-up: Floreat Primary School in Retreat (R5,000)

Gold Category

First place (R30,000): Imhoff Waldorf School in Kommetjie
No runner-up was awarded in this category.

International Category

First place: Macassar High School in Somerset West (R35,000)
First runner-up: Strand High School (R10,000)
Second runner-up: Beaumont Primary and Sir Lowry's Pass Primary (R5,000 each)

Platinum Category

First place: Mondeor Eco-School in Somerset West (R35,000)
Runner-up: Siyabulela Pre-Primary School in Kleinmond (R10,000)