Zithande Mzansi Green Schools comes to Ekurhuleni
Five schools based in Katlehong and Vosloorus townshis in the City of Ekurhuleni, have been onboarded to the national Zithande Mzansi recycling programme.
The initiative is made possible through the partnership of Tiger Brands and Fibre Circle. This will support environmental education and income generation for the schools and local waste collection SMMEs.
Ikusasalethu Primary and Polokegong Primary in Vosloorus, and Katlehong Primary, Manzini Primary and Umtholo Primary School in Katlehong are the participating schools.
Fibre Circle is a local paper and paper packaging producer responsibility organisation (PRO) whose Zithande Mzansi programme is aimed at promoting recycling and improving food security in South African schools.
Zithande Mzansi equips teachers and learners with the tools and knowledge to foster a culture of environmental responsibility from an early age. As part of the programme, participating schools receive colour-coded recycling bins, educational materials aligned with the national curriculum, and ongoing training.
Schools are encouraged to collect and sort waste, selling it to local buy-back centres to earn rebates that are reinvested in the school, as well as for environmental projects.
In turn, local businesses operating within the waste management value chain can grow and create jobs in local communities. The SMMEs who benefit from the Zithande Mzansi Programme are participants in Fibre Circle’s SMME Development Programme, which offers them tailored experiential learning, personalised mentoring and coaching.
“The Zithande Mzansi programme aligns with our commitment to nurturing a circular economy by diverting waste from landfill to reduce environmental impact and create shared value through new business opportunities that support inclusive enterprise development,” says Maanda Milubi, Enterprise and Supplier Development and Transformation Director, Tiger Brands.
“We are committed to ensuring environmental stewardship and enhancing livelihoods. This partnership allows us to make a tangible difference at a community level by integrating sustainability education into daily school life and helping schools turn recyclables into a source of income, showing learners that environmental awareness can create real economic opportunities.”
