Eskom WESSA Energy and Sustainability Programme receives award

Avril Wilkinson, WESSA national manager for the E&S Programme, receives the 2013 SANEA Energy Education Award from Brian Statham, chairman of SANEA at a gala event held in Johannesburg.

The Eskom WESSA Energy and Sustainability (E&S) Programme is a partnership programme between Eskom and WESSA for Education for Sustainable Development. The programme supports Active Learning Sustainability Projects; working with over 149,000 young people across South Africa. Regional coordinators of the programme extend a leadership service to the educators they support through at-school implementation of energy projects as well as accredited, energy-themed, environmental education courses which equip the educators to become more confident with energy education in the classroom.

The award, received at a banquet and awards evening held in Johannesburg on 22 August 2013, was given in recognition of the programme's 16-year lifespan and its school-to-community implementation throughout South Africa. Special mention was made of the Rural Sustainable Villages of the Chris Hani District Municipality. This role model support initiative of the E&S Programme, demonstrates integrated renewable energy applications for sustainable service delivery through biogas installations and capacity development.

In recent years, the programme has channeled its support into a number of programme sections, many of which specifically address adult learning and support, thereby contributing to community development. These sections include active learning projects, educator workshops, strategic areas, educator accredited training, entrepreneurial projects, edible plant networks, climate change courses and rural school development.

The programme has excelled since its inception, having won 26 national and 10 international awards, and its success bears testimony to what can be achieved through a well-founded, productive and considerate corporate/NGO partnership.