Gauteng Schools grow champions in national EduPlant awards

Gauteng schools have taken top honours in the 2025 EduPlant National Competition Finals during World Food Month. Molefe Mooke Primary School won first place in the National Award category, while Dilopye Pre-Vocational School claimed first in the National Centre of Excellence Awards category.

Second and third place in the National Award category went to Nkabini Primary School (KZN) and Toronto Primary School (Limpopo), respectively. The National Award category recognises schools excelling in both theoretical and practical learnings during their participation in EduPlant, establishing thriving food gardens at their schools.

Second and third place in the Centre of Excellence Awards went to Nobanda Primary School (KZN) and Alabama Primary School (North West). This award celebrates EduPlant alumni schools mentoring new schools during the 2024/2025 cycle.

Provincial winners include:

• Eastern Cape: Jamangile Senior Secondary School

• Free State: Dr MG Mngoma Public School

• Gauteng: Philip Kushlick Special Needs School

• KZN: Kwa Ngubeni Primary School

• Limpopo: Moriting Primary School

• Mpumalanga: Mahushe Agricultural School

• North West: Temoso Special School

• Northern Cape: Simololang Primary School

• Western Cape: Rouxville Primary School

Winning schools share R221,000 in cash prizes to support further food-growing efforts.

EduPlant, a Food & Trees for Africa (FTA) programme in partnership with Tiger Brands, is in its 28th year, addressing malnutrition and hunger in South Africa.

“Tiger Brands invest in initiatives such as EduPlant because we understand that a hungry mind cannot learn well. EduPlant’s focus on sustainability, environmental ethics and food security matches our vision of resilient, food secure and healthy communities. We are encouraged that learners in the programme can share their knowledge with others at home and in their communities who are then empowered to do the same and multiply the impact,” says Maanda Milubi, Director Transformation and Enterprise Supplier Development, Tiger Brands.

Thirty-two schools were shortlisted from 300 participants and received extensive permaculture training, growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs for school feeding programmes. Surplus produce is shared with local communities.

Chris Wild, Executive Director of Food & Trees for Africa, added: “While food security and nutrition is at the core of the EduPlant programme, it is more than that. We see learners becoming leaders; they practice communication and teamwork skills and have experiences that they otherwise would not have. These learners will carry these experiences with them for the rest of the lives, and I feel privileged to be part of something that can influence a learner to such an extent.”

The programme culminates in a national awards ceremony recognising the best school food gardens, which transform school grounds into living classrooms, fostering both food security and environmental awareness. The rigorous selection process included video submissions, portfolios, and in-person presentations. Children from finalist schools were bussed from across South Africa to Konka Tours in Rustenburg for a two-day camp, participating in herb workshops, drumming circles, and tree planting.

Over the past two years, EduPlant has promoted environmental literacy, self-sufficiency, and improved nutrition, supplementing the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). Gardens have allowed schools to reallocate funds to educational materials, educator training, and volunteer stipends, creating ripple effects in surrounding communities.

Robyn Hills, Head of Programmes at Food & Trees for Africa, said, “These schools have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the principles of permaculture and sustainability. Their permaculture food gardens serve as living classrooms, nurturing not only plants but also the minds and hearts of the learners involved.”

EduPlant 2025 Winners:

National Category

• 1st Place: Molefe Mooke Primary School (Gauteng)

• 2nd Place: Nkabini Primary School (KZN)

• 3rd Place: Toronto Primary School (Limpopo)

Centre of Excellence Category

• 1st Place: Dilopye Pre-Vocational School (Gauteng)

• 2nd Place: Nobanda Primary School (KZN)

• 3rd Place: Alabama Primary School (North West)

Provincial Winners

• Eastern Cape: Jamangile Senior Secondary School

• Free State: Dr MG Mngoma Public School

• Gauteng: Philip Kushlick Special School

• KZN: Kwa Ngubeni Primary School

• Limpopo: Moriting Primary School

• Mpumalanga: Mahushe Agricultural School

• North West: Temoso Special School

• Northern Cape: Simololang Primary School

• Western Cape: Rouxville Primary School