Local environmentalist and author, Siya Ntsumpa, will distribute 500 copies of his children’s book, The Way We Do Things, ahead of Global Recycling Day on 18 March to promote environmental awareness among young learners in Gqeberha.
The initiative forms part of a broader environmental education campaign focused on recycling, food security and climate literacy in schools across the metro.
Ntsumpa is the founder of Giving Them Wings (GTW), a non-profit organisation he established in 2014 after volunteering in schools and witnessing first-hand the challenges related to food security.
“I founded GTW in 2014 after volunteering and witnessing food security challenges in schools,” he said. “Our country has a waste management problem which impacts townships and schools via illegal dumping. I wanted to play a role in resolving these issues and transforming schools into environmental hubs.”
During World Read Aloud Day on 4 February, Ntsumpa and his team distributed 150 copies of the book to Grade 6 learners at Astra Primary School.
“This is in line with our environmental programme at the school, which we have been working with for the past four years,” he shared.
Aimed at primary school learners, The Way We Do Things introduces children to the recycling process and the role they can play in protecting the environment at home and at school.
“Through this resource, we want to see changes in behaviours which young people can advocate for at home and at school.”
He wrote the book during the COVID-19 lockdown, using his academic background in writing to bring the idea to life. It was later published in 2022 after sponsorship was secured for the design and printing. Since then, Ntsumpa has set annual distribution targets.
“Each year, we have tried to distribute a set target of copies. This year, the target is 500,” he added.
To commemorate Global Recycling Day, six of GTW’s partner schools will participate in a clean-up campaign.
In the weeks leading up to the event, copies of The Way We Do Things will be distributed to primary school learners as part of the organisation’s environmental education drive.
“Our first major event this year is to commemorate Global Recycling Day. Six of our schools will be participating in a clean-up in Motherwell,” Ntsumpa shared.
Environmental education is one of the core pillars of GTW’s work. “This is also relevant from the perspective of climate literacy, which I believe is as important as basic literacy.”
GTW adopts schools and supports them in developing food gardens and establishing recyclable collection systems. The vegetables grown are used in school feeding schemes or taken home by learners.
Meanwhile, recyclable materials collected at schools are sold to generate a small income to sustain the gardens, creating what Ntumpa describes as a circular economy model within the school environment.
“Learner participation is vital as this is about skills development and knowledge sharing,” he said.
