Schools in Katlehong and Vosloorus join national recycling drive
Learners from Ikusasalethu Primary and Polokegong Primary in Vosloorus, and Katlehong Primary, Manzini Primary and Umtholo Primary School in Katlehong, complete an educational exercise on recycling during the launch of the Zithande Mzansi programme.
Image: Supplied
Five primary schools in Katlehong and Vosloorus, Gauteng, have joined the national Zithande Mzansi recycling programme to promote environmental education and create income-generating opportunities for learners and local SMMEs.
Ikusasalethu Primary and Polokegong Primary in Vosloorus, along with Katlehong Primary, Manzini Primary and Umtholo Primary School in Katlehong, are the latest schools to take part in the initiative.
The Zithande Mzansi programme, a partnership between Tiger Brands and Fibre Circle, equips teachers and learners with tools and knowledge to foster a culture of environmental responsibility from an early age.
Mvuselelo Mathebula, chief director Integrated Waste Management at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment; Khanyisile Ntuli from waste management company, Greener Pastures; Zithande Mzansi mascot; Edith Leeuta, CEO, Fibre Circle; and Maanda Milubi, enterprise and supplier development and transformation director, Tiger Brands.
Image: Supplied
As part of the programme, schools receive colour-coded recycling bins, educational materials aligned with the national curriculum, and ongoing training.
Schools are encouraged to collect and sort waste, selling it to local buy-back centres to earn rebates that are reinvested into the school or used for environmental projects. The initiative also supports local businesses in the waste management value chain, helping them to grow and create jobs in nearby communities.
“The Zithande Mzansi programme aligns with our commitment to nurturing a circular economy by diverting waste from landfill to reduce environmental impact and create shared value through new business opportunities that support inclusive enterprise development,” says Maanda Milubi, enterprise and supplier development and transformation director at Tiger Brands.
“We are committed to ensuring environmental stewardship and enhancing livelihoods. This partnership allows us to make a tangible difference at a community level by integrating sustainability education into daily school life and helping schools turn recyclables into a source of income, showing learners that environmental awareness can create real economic opportunities.”
With landfill overflow and environmental degradation posing growing challenges across South Africa, the programme positions schools as catalysts for behavioural change. Beyond encouraging greener habits, it introduces learners to potential future careers in the circular economy, environmental sciences and waste management.
Since its inception in 2022, Zithande Mzansi has onboarded 158 schools and aims to reach 100 more across the country by 2026.
“Through the Zithande Mzansi programme, we’re helping to instil sustainable habits in young people while building awareness around the value of recycling,” says Edith Leeuta, CEO of Fibre Circle. “By giving schools the tools and guidance to manage their own recycling systems, we’re not only reducing waste but also empowering communities to take ownership of environmental change.”