Learners encouraged to protect our wetlands

The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), in partnership with Limpopo Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (LEDET) and the University of Venda (Univen), held a Wetland Day at Tshiheni village on Tuesday, 27 February, during which the names of the winners in the Lake Fundudzi Wetland Schools Competition were announced.

Ms Muofhe Masutha, an officer from LEDET, provided an overview of the competition to learners from schools in and around Tshiheni village, stating that learners had been advised to create posters and prepare presentations on the importance of wetlands, focusing on Lake Fundudzi. They had also been educated on the importance of refraining from cutting down trees around Lake Fundudzi and near the wetlands, said Masutha.

The winner of the senior phase category of the competition was Khakhu Secondary School. Their teacher, Mr Ailwei Mathabi, was elated when hearing that they were the overall winners of the competition. “We were tasked with examining the importance of protecting the wetlands and the interventions that we, as people living around wetlands, can implement. It was an exciting presentation for our learners. We are also delighted that, in addition to being one of the winners, we won a trip. We can choose to go with learners to either Mapungubwe Heritage Site or Kruger National Park,” said Mathabi.

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), Cllr Freda Nkondo, stressed the importance of protecting the wetlands. “I call upon traditional leaders to take the lead in educating and changing the mindset of our communities regarding the protection of our wetlands," she said.

Khosi Vho Thandululo Tshivhase said that wetlands were critical components of the ecosystem. He urged people to work together to protect the wetlands.

Twelve schools from in and around Tshiheni participated in the Lake Fundudzi Wetland Schools Competition, and the following schools secured first place: Tshidzivhe Primary School (foundation phase), Tshidzivhe Primary School (intermediate phase), and Khakhu Secondary School (senior phase).

Date:17 March 2024

By: Silas Nduvheni

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