Environmental organisation Save a Fishie has officially launched its 2026 Schools Eco Challenge and Environmental Awareness Campaign in partnership with the City of Cape Town.
Running from March to June, the initiative invites primary schools across the metro to participate in a hands-on environmental education programme aimed at tackling pollution, waste reduction, recycling, water conservation and ecosystem protection.
The programme is designed to move beyond theory — placing learners at the centre of real-world environmental action.
Turning knowledge into action
Participating schools will form Eco Teams of 20 learners who will complete a series of practical challenges to create meaningful environmental impact within their schools and surrounding communities.
Through action-based learning, learners will explore how everyday behaviours affect streets, parks, rivers and oceans — and how simple changes can prevent pollution before it starts.
Rather than only learning about environmental problems, learners will actively become part of the solution.
Practical challenges with real impact
- Activities during the three-month campaign will include:
- School and community clean-ups.
- Recycling and waste reduction initiatives.
- Water conservation awareness campaigns.
- Environmental education projects.
- Creative “Recycling Monster” builds using reclaimed materials.
“These hands-on activities aim to inspire long-term behaviour change among learners, their families and broader school communities,” ” says Zoë Prinsloo, Founder of Save a Fishie.
Empowering young environmental leaders
The campaign seeks to engage up to 50 schools, directly involving more than 1 000 learners and indirectly reaching thousands more.
“This project is about giving learners the opportunity to understand pollution in a real-world way,” says Prinsloo. “When young people see the impact of their actions and realise they can be part of the solution, lasting change begins. Thanks to the City of Cape Town’s support, we can reach more schools and empower more future environmental custodians.”
At the conclusion of the programme, Eco Teams will present their projects for judging.
The top three schools will receive prizes of:
- R20 000 (first place)
- R10 000 (second place)
- R5 000 (third place)
The prize money will support further sustainability initiatives at winning schools, alongside recognition awards for participating team members.
Schools interested in joining the 2026 Schools Eco Challenge can contact Save a Fishie at info@saveafishie.co.za for more information.
