100s of SA Schools Recognised at WESSA Eco-Schools Awards

Photo Credit: WESSA

More than 430 schools across the country have been celebrated for their environmental leadership and sustainability work!

South Africa (12 May 2026) – A positive note to start the week off on! Did you know schools full of kids are working toward a better environmental future for South Africa? The WESSA Eco-Schools Awards recently honoured them.

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) wrapped up all its provincial awards ceremonies for last year’s programme in March this year. The awards, held across the country, honoured over 430 local schools for the environmental work they did throughout the 2025 programme year.

“When learners are given the tools, space and support to engage with real-world challenges, they don’t just participate, they lead.” says WESSA Schools and Youth Senior Programme Manager Nomfundo Ndlovu.

Across eight provinces, including Gauteng (120+ schools), Free State (134), KwaZulu-Natal (46), Western Cape (31), Eastern Cape (31), Northern Cape (29), Limpopo (24) and Mpumalanga (17), learners, teachers and communities have been doing the impactful work of building a more sustainable SA.

These schools are covering everything from water conservation, waste reduction, biodiversity protection and circular economy initiatives.

“What makes it powerful is not its scale, it is its measurable change. This is education that moves beyond awareness into action.” says WESSA Head of Education and Sustainability Kelly Alcock.

Across KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape, schools have recycled thousands of kilograms of waste, restored ecosystems, and driven community-based environmental initiatives. Among this year’s honourees, several schools were recognised for years and in some cases even decades of stellar commitment!

In KwaZulu-Natal, Pitlochry Primary School and Shea O’Connor Combined School received the Emerald Award for 20 years of participation. Epworth School and The Birches Pre-Primary School were celebrated with the Arum Lily Award for 22 years.

Adding to our existing list of winners in Gauteng, Pecanwood College was recognised with the Platinum 2 Decade Award in its 17th year of the programme.

The Free State’s Batjha Primary School and Nthuthuzelo Primary School earned their Diamond Awards for 10 years of commitment.

Over in the Western Cape, Beaumont Primary School picked up the Platinum 2 Decade Award, with Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School and Newberry House Montessori School also celebrated for their long-standing dedication.

The school ceremonies held across SA mark a year of special significance for WESSA as the organisation marks 100 years of citizen action, conservation and environmental education in South Africa.

Says WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete: “In 2026 WESSA celebrates 100 years of citizen action, 100 years of environmental leadership, and 100 years of believing that education is the lever that will make a change in our communities and in our schools. Eco-Schools in South Africa is one of the most impactful environmental education programmes in this country – a teacher movement and a learner-led action campaign,” adding “We are not just teaching learners about environmental challenges, we are equipping them to respond with confidence, creativity, and purpose.”