Students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) joined environmental stakeholders in a campus and beach clean-up initiative aimed at promoting environmental awareness, responsible waste management and community participation.
Held under the theme: ‘Your Campus. Your Coast. Your Responsibility’, the initiative was organised by the Fundikhono Community Project (FCP) on UKZN’s Howard College and Westville campuses, followed by a clean-up at Durban Marina’s Festival Island.
The initiative encouraged students to take an active role in protecting their surroundings while highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in addressing litter and environmental pollution.
“Environmental responsibility begins with each of us,” said Ms Nomonde Mweli, chairperson of the Fundikhono Community Project Club and Society (FCPCS). “Through this initiative, we wanted to encourage students to move beyond awareness and take practical steps towards keeping their campuses and shared public spaces clean.”
The clean-up began simultaneously at Howard College and Westville campuses, where volunteers received briefings before collecting litter from designated campus areas. Students were provided with gloves and waste-collection bags, alongside branded T-shirts and caps to support their participation.
The teams later proceeded to Festival Island, where they collected litter from the beach and surrounding public spaces, including areas near boat and ship docks.
Environmental education formed an important part of the programme. Representatives from eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Solid Waste (DSW) informed participants on responsible waste management, emphasising waste separation, recycling and appropriate disposal practices.
Following the clean-up, collected waste was consolidated for removal, while recyclable materials were separated for recycling. This reinforced the importance of ensuring that waste is managed responsibly rather than simply removed from public spaces.
The initiative was supported by several partners:
• UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science provided funding through its Incentive Grant for Ongoing Research-led Community Engagement Project
• Inothile Environmental Solutions sponsored T-shirt printing for students on the Westville campus
• Polyco supplied personal protective equipment, goodie bags and bulk waste-collection bags
• UKZN’s College of Humanities at the Howard College campus contributed branded T-shirts, caps and goodie bags
• Durban Solid Waste provided environmental education, gloves, collection bags and waste-removal arrangements
• Durban Marina provided hosting support and equipment for the coastal clean-up
Chairperson and co-founder of Fundikhono Community Project NPO, Mr Sandile Zulu led the Westville campus contingent, while Mweli co-ordinated the Howard College campus team and preparations on campus. The student club also played a key role in mobilising volunteers, engaging potential sponsors and supporting event preparations.
The initiative benefited from the academic partnership and guidance of Dr Lucky Nkomo, Senior Advisor in the School of Geography and Environmental Management, and Dr Seipati Mokhosi, grant supervisor from the Discipline of Biochemistry, School of Agriculture and Science.
“Partnerships between universities, communities and environmental stakeholders create opportunities for students to learn through action. By working together, we can strengthen environmental awareness and encourage more responsible waste-management practices,” said Zulu.
Through initiatives such as this, Fundikhono continues to promote environmental education and community engagement by creating opportunities for students to contribute to practical solutions to environmental challenges.
The clean-up reinforced the message that protecting the environment requires sustained commitment beyond a single event. Through individual action and collective effort, students and communities can help maintain cleaner campuses, protect coastlines and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photographs: Supplied