Annual Report 2016 - wsec.org.zawsec.org.za/wpe/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Annual-report-2016.pdf · P a g e | 1 Annual Report 2016 JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre, 20202 Serapeng

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Annual Report 2016

JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre, 20202 Serapeng Street, Mamelodi East. Tel: 012 801 3197,

Fax: 0866609446 www.wsec.org.za

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Contents

1 Message from the Chairman ............................................................................. 3

2 Background .......................................................................................... 4

3 Our achievements ..........................................................................................5

3.1 Goal one ................................................................................. 5

3.2 Goal two ................................................................................................6

3.2.1 Centre based programs ................................................................. 6

3.2.2 Special focus programs for learners with special needs ...... 6

3.2.3 Programs for educators ..............................................................6

3.2.4 Environmental calendar days…………………………………………….

3.3 Goal three ................................................................................... 8

3.3.1 WSEC Youth Clubs ................................................................... 8

3.3.2 Mamelodi Greening Project ............................................... 9

3.3.3 School Greening Programme

3.4 Goal four ........................................................................................ 10

3.4.1 Staff Members ................................................................... 10

3.4.2 Staff training and development .............................................. 10

4. Funders and Partnerships ………………………………………………………11

5. Financial Report ...................................................................................... 12

6. Conclusion ............................................................................................. 13

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1 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

In line with our mission to facilitate awareness and educational programmes and demonstrate models of best practice within the community of Mamelodi, the School Governing Body (SGB) of the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre was able to achieve its organisational objectives. 2016 has been a good year financially which meant that we could do more projects than usual.

Although we had no funding shortfall, our attendance numbers stabilised at 10114, as we were still short on staff.

Some highlights of the year were the following:

International Year of Pulses: We had three workshops for educators in Tshwane about the International year of pulses. Environmental Education Association of South Africa(EEASA) Conference: The EEASA conference was held in Johannesburg in October. WSEC was a member of the local organising committee. A delegation of the conference visited our centre and our youth club learners also performed a drama which was very well accepted by the audience.

Mandela Day: The Israeli embassy visited the centre and assisted with

some work in the nursery and the ambassador also planted a tree.

At this point let me thank my colleagues, our stakeholders, The Jewish National Fund, the schools, and the community at large for their endless support in 2016.

A special thank you to our funders – without their support the very important work of the Centre and the role it plays within the community, would not have been possible.

____________________________________________________ Frans Mamogobo Chairman: JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre School Governing Body

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2 BACKGROUND:

The Jewish National Fund, Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in

Mamelodi, founded in September 2004, is an environmental

discovery Centre that aims to raise awareness and mobilise

community-based environmental champions.

Our vision is to be a leading Environmental Education Centre that will

mobilise the community to become community based environmental

champions.

Our mission is to create a culture of community conservation in

Mamelodi and Southern Tshwane through facilitating awareness,

education and programs and to demonstrate models of best practice

within the community.

The Centre demonstrates in practical and visible ways actions that

could be taken by South Africans that promote both sustainable

development objectives and climate change mitigation.

Since inception we have hosted over 100 000 learners at our Centre in

the key learning areas of Water, Waste, Energy, and Biodiversity with

Curriculum based educational activities that support teachers, and

educate and enable learners with outcomes based activities that are

stimulating, fun and informative.

The Centre also supports professional development of educators and grounds staff from Southern Tshwane schools.

The Mamelodi Greening Programme is a community program

through which the Centre has planted over 23 000 trees in schools,

homes and other public places in the last five years.

This report details the number of learners and educators that visited

the Centre and our achievements as set out by our four strategic

goals.

The following four goals were developed to execute the ideals in our vision and mission:

2.1 To be an effective and clear demonstration of environmental

practice and consciousness

2.2 To be social and practically relevant to our beneficiaries and the broader community

2.3 To extend WSEC’s impact and outreach in the broader community

2.4 To nurture effective and healthy communication that supports our

ability to flourish and grow

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3 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

3.1 GOAL ONE

TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF

ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE AND CONSCIOUSNESS

The buildings and surroundings of the Centre demonstrates practical ways

that can be implemented to live sustainably. The garden supports a

permaculture garden to demonstrate food production, a wetland,

grassland and a forest biome.

Permaculture garden: The permaculture garden demonstrates growing

food by mimicking the natural systems in nature. Here we demonstrate

how to use resources such as water and soil sustainably. Our garden is

designed so that energy is used efficiently, water resources are conserved

and integrated into the garden systems, and nutrients are recycled to

feed the soil by making our own compost.

This year we managed to install a pump connected to the jojo-tank to

improve our water irrigation in the garden. Funds were obtained from

International Diplomats Spouses Association of South Africa (IDSASA).

Recycling of waste: Jabu Mthombeni manages the recycling and all material

brought in by learners are separated on the grounds and taken away by

informal recyclers.

The Centre obtained a Green Flag from Eco Schools in 2010 that certifies

our commitment to sustainable environmental management

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3.2 GOAL TWO

BE SOCIAL AND PRACTICALLY RELEVANT TO OUR BENEFICIARIES AND THE

BROADER COMMUNITY

3.2.1 Centre based programs:

In 2016 we hosted 10 114 learners on programmes in the Biodiversity, Water

Wise, Energy, and Waste rooms as well as in the living classroom garden.

Generally, the Centre contacts the schools in the district to make

them aware of the activities at the Centre and the appropriate links to

the Curriculum. Schools make bookings to attend specific activities.

The school programs for 2016 supported the international themes: International Year of Pulses and we presented one program for Grade 11 learners on Food Security.

The 2016 visits can be broken down per theme room as follows:

• Water Room: 2874

• Biodiversity Room: 5009

• Waste Room: 553

• Energy Room: 1197 learners

• Other Programmes: 150 learners

3.2.2 Special focus programs for learners with special needs

We managed to accommodate 80 learners from schools with special needs. 80 of the learners were from Tshegofatsong, which is a school in Mamelodi that focus on learners who are mentally handicapped

3.2.3 Programmes for educators

We hosted a special program for Social Science educators about the

International year of Pulses. We had four workshops: at the centre, Atteridgeville, Waterkloof and also in Centurion. The theme focused on the

benefits of pulses in agriculture as well as food security.

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3.2.4 Environmental Calendar Days:

• World Water Month ~ March:

• Biodiversity Day 22 May

• World Environment Day

• Mandela Day: 18 July

2016 Nelson Mandela Day 67 minutes of volunteerism The 67 minutes is a tribute to the 67 years in which Madiba dedicated his life to defend the cause of justice. This year on 18 July we were honoured with a visit from the Embassy of Israel. Ambassador Lenk and personnel volunteered their time with maintenance and general cleanup of our Community Connect Nursery. We concluded the visit with planting a tree next to our wetland to honour Madiba’s memory.

World Environment Day: 4 June 2016 Value your local river Poster competition: This poster competition was initiated by the Adopt-Moreletaspruit Forum who invited our Centre to participate and later extended their focus to also include the Pienaars River catchment area that runs east of Moreletaspruit. The message was to make people more aware of our actions in this river catchment area, how it affects life, and what needs to be done to keep our rivers healthy. We hosted two sessions for learners who wished to participate and we produced 10 of the final prize winners that were invited to the prize giving event at Atterbury Theatre on 4 June to coincide with World Environment Day. Learners, educators and schools received prizes such as science kits donated by Atterbury Theatre and Rand Water.

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1.

3 .2 HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

3.3 GOAL THREE

TO EXTEND WSEC’S IMPACTAND OUTREACH IN THE BROADER

COMMUNITY

3.3.1 WSEC Youth Clubs

Environmental Quiz

Grade 10 and 11 learners from Secondary Schools

were invited to participate in the Environmental

Quiz. This year the programme was arranged

together with the National Zoological Gardens and

Mae Jemison Reading Room from University of

Pretoria. The focus was on endangered species with a

special focus on Rhino, vultures, African penguin and

the blue crane. The quiz was held in Mamelodi on

Saturday 24 May and 18 teams participated. One of

the teams of the Zoo Club won the competition.

Camp:7-9 December at Bushpigs

About 60 learners were

able to attend a lovely and

adventurous three days at

Bushpigs near Modimolle.

They could participate in

activities such as the

mudstacle, game viewing,

hiking, and nature studies.

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3.3.2 Mamelodi Greening Project

Jabu Mthombeni is the project co-ordinator for the Mamelodi Greening Project and Beauty Manthate from the nursery was assisting him. For the 2016 the Mamelodi Greening Programme focused on Nellmapius Ward 16 Extension 24. 14 People from this ward were recruited and trained as community foresters. The training took place on the 6th August 2016 and was comprehensive, based on a power point presentation and notes on the importance of urban greening and how the Mamelodi Greening Programme would roll out in the wards by planting trees for private homes along with trees for public facilities, libraries, clinics, police stations, schools, clinics and for public open spaces. The training also covered basic greening topics like where to plant trees on a property, how to plant trees and how to maintain the trees. The training also included a trail in the garden covering social, communal, environmental, and economic value of trees. Media and Promotion: We put up street posters advertising free trees and contact details to find out more. A large mural was also painted in the community, by artist Nico Sithole to promote the program.

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3.3.3 School Greening Programme

.

One new indigenous garden was developed at Nellmapius Primary this year. A total number of six workshops were held at the school, and involved two educators, one gardener and twenty learners in the development of the garden. The learners had the opportunity to design their own garden and get to choose their own plants from our nursery. The gardens allow the children to learn about different indigenous plants, the soil, propagation of plants, when and where to plant their plants.

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3.4 GOAL FOUR

TO NURTURE EFFECTIVE AND HEALTHY COMMUNICATION THAT SUPPORTS OUR ABILITY TO FLOURISH AND GROW

3.4.1 Staff Members:

WSEC started the year with a total staff component of 8. In addition,

one two volunteer staff member was employed by SAASTA and one

volunteer under the Groen Sebenza program funded by the

Department of Environmental Affairs.

Our staff undertook an educational tour to the Radio Astronomy

Observatory near Hartebeespoortdam on 3 May and learned a great

deal about how the universe works. Hartrao is known to have the only

telescope in Africa that study the radio waves emitted by the stars,

which allows them to see when a star is born or when a star dies.

3.4.2 Staff training and development: EEASA Conference

• All our staff members attended the EEASA conference from 4-6 October at the Aviator Hotel in Ekhuruleni. Christa van Schalkwyk did a presentation on the ecological design of the centre. Eugenie Novellie introduced our drama activity that performed at the conference.

• Onn 17 October we had a planning session at the Mongena Hotel.

• All staff members attended First Aid training by St Johns Ambulance We are grateful to a committed and dedicated staff without who we would not be able to achieve our goals.

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4 FUNDERS AND PARTNERSHIPS:

3.2.4

WSEC is very grateful for the funding we receive from our generous

sponsors, and whose assistance we would not be able to operate without:

• Norman Goodfellows

• Richard Chipkin

• RAND WATER

• DISCHEM FOUNDATION

• SG Menell

• Investec

• Eric Samson

• Graham Beck Foundation

• International Diplomatic Spouses of South Africa Association

• Rand Merchant Bank

• LOTTO

• Atterbury Trust - Poster competition

During this year we had partnerships with the following organisations:

• Rand Water

• National Zoo

• SAASTA

• Gauteng Environmental Education Forum

• City of Tshwane

• University of Pretoria (Sci-Enza)

• IDSASA

• Adop-Moreletaspruit Forum

• Umkariso Women in Water

•

IDSASA Alien Invasive Plant Demo

We were very happy to host the International Diplomat Spouses Association at our centre again this year after a donation they made that enabled us to install JoJo tanks at our centre. On their visit they requested to learn more about alien invasive plants and all helped to clear some unwanted weeds from the garden. We are so thankful for their support and interest in our organisation. For 2017 they donated the pump and installation of the irrigation system.

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5. FINANCIAL REPORT

Operating Expenses Amount

Administration, operational accounting and bookkeeping

117719

Environmental Outreach-School clubs 103299

Environmental Events 10555

Living Classroom Permaculture 78387

Resources Development 26075

Staff Salaries 750697

Staff Training and Development 38390

Transport 195370

Mandela Peace Park garden 10207

Greening Mamelodi Project 125887

Total 1456586

Summary

Total income of donors 1390 545

Total interest received 16988

Total operating expenses (1456586)

Surplus/Deficit -49053

6. CONCLUSION:

The Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre in Mamelodi is playing an

increasingly vital role in educating grassroots communities about their

environment.

Our achievements can be listed as follows:

This year we managed to have a total number of 10144 learners that

attended our school programs. Our well-trained facilitators make sure that

quality programs that reach the objectives of the school curriculum are well

presented.

We have maintained excellent relationships with the schools in our area and

the community and managed to deliver a number of quality value added

services, such as schools greening, the environmental quiz and Mamelodi

greening. 1400 Trees were planted at homesteads and in the community in

the reporting period.

We have developed partnerships with government and non- governmental

organisations on awareness campaigns on global issues such as water,

sustainable farming, climate change and protection of endangered species.

Locally our personnel

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continue to expand their environmental knowledge base and take

action on regional issues such as cleaning of our rivers and

community conservation and greening, as well as participated in

community action on Mandela Day.

We feel confident that we are delivering on our mandate to

be a leading Environmental Education Centre that inspires

and motivates the youth and community to enable about

knowledgeable sustainable change

This document developed for the JNF WSEC by Christa van Schalkwyk

Board members 2016: Mr. Frans Mamogobo, Mr. Abraham Moripe, Isla Feldman, Amber Cummins, Late Peter Bambo, Mr. Robert Ramatsetse, Christa van Schalkwyk, Albertina Motalaota, Riaan Visser, Nomvula Maselela

Winners of the following Awards: Mail and Guardian 2011 Runner up in Climate Change Leadership Awards 2012 SANParks Kudu Award 2012

Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards 2013