Limpopo Legends grace Eco-Schools Awards

Close on 300 Teachers and guests at this years Limpopo Eco-Schools Award Ceremony and mini conference held at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane last Thursday were motivated by inspirational talks by well- known conservationist and founder of the Lapalala Wilderness School, Clive Walker.
Walker spoke of his childhood experiences of nature and his eventual establishment back in the eighties of the LWS which aimed to expose young children to environmental education. Today Lapalala wilderness school supports 35 Eco-Schools in the Waterberg area as part of an outreach programme. Well- known Mike Gardner, editor of the book entitled “A selection of Legends and Folk Stories from the Valley of the Olifants entertained the audience with stories and legends of Limpopo. 
The talks were followed by an opportunity for educators and guests to engage and network with a wide and diverse range of businesses, organisations and institutions ranging from the University of Limpopo Science Education Centre, to Plastics SA, to the SANParks who exhibited their environmental services.
The Award Ceremony proceeded after lunch.  This year, Eco-Schools not only acknowledged  the schools involved in the programme but also individual teachers that have shown leadership in ensuring that the Eco-School Programme has been a success in their schools. These teachers were given the WESSA/Eco-Schools Environmental Award. 
The Fabulous Eco-School Supporter Awards were given to the Rotary Club of Haenertsburg, The Capricorn District Municipality and Kerry Baytopp from Bush Pigs Environmental Centre in acknowledgement of their contributions to the ES programme over the years.  Overall 121 Eco-Schools participating Schools in Limpopo received awards for their endeavours in the programme.
Eco-Schools is a school based environmental management, certification, and sustainable development education programme, implemented in over 52 countries worldwide.  It falls under the umbrella of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).  The Eco-School programme is managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA), with national support from Nampak and PetroSA.  Various other organisations support Eco-Schools at a local level. Over 1100 schools in SA are currently part of the programme.
The ES programme encourages and supports schools in improving environmental management and environmental learning in the school and classroom. ES supports the National Curriculum (CAPS).
At the end of each year, schools in the programme are evaluated on their efforts to improve environmental awareness in the classroom and in the community. Schools which have succeeded in meeting the criteria of the ES programme are acknowledged at an award ceremony.

Here is a list of the schools with their respective awards.
Platinum Awards (for schools involved in the programme for 6 years and more) were awarded to: Dikolobe Primary School, Motholo Lower Primary School, PEPPS Polokwane Prep & College, Mmbara senior Primary School, Mosesane Baloyi Primary School, Waterberg Academy, Leboho Intermediate, Malenkwana Primary School, Masete No 1 Primary School, Matlou Memorial Primary School, Kgomoshiakwena Primary School, Marken Primary School, Mpepule Primary School, Sekanekamoyi Primary School, Titirheleni Primary School, Chuchekani  Primary School, Phulanibyihola Primary School and Mopane Intermediate.
International Flags (for schools involved in the programme for 5 years) were awarded to: Mitchell House School, Mannyetha Primary School, Southern Cross School, Mpebe Primary, Kitty Primary School, Nkidikitlanana Primary, Ntebeleleng Primary School, Serupa Primary School, Pondo Combined, Xithlangu Primary School, Phetole Primary School and Siloam Primary School.
Gold Awards ( for schools involved in the programme for 4 years) were awarded to: Diopong Primary School, Driehoek Primary School, Tloukolobe Primary School, Mokopane English Medium School, Ikageng Primary School, Mafato Primary School, Rammupudu Primary School, Madaheni Combined School, Pkanong Primary School, Selelo Primary School, Bokwidi Primary School, Galakwinstroom Primary, Given Mangolo School, Leubaneng School, Mapala Primary School, Mashamaite Secondary School, Mushi Primary School, Reabilwe Primary School, Serema High School, Supi Primary School, Schiettocht School, Semana Primary School and Tshilidzini Special School.
Green Flag Awards (for schools involved in the programme for 3 years) were awarded to: Makeketela Primary School, Bush Pigs OE Centre, Tshulu Trust, Jack Morare Primary School, Kobe Primary School, Maloloane Primary School, Ridgeway College, Boschdraai Primary School, Nkobo Secondary School, Madjajdi Primary School, Shiphamele Primary School, Hlakheto, Primary School, Morutsi Primary School, Tsekere Primary School, Diphuti Primary School, Mfake Primary School and Tibamoshito Primary School.
Silver Awards (for schools involved in the programme for 2 years) were awarded to: Educare Primary School, Lukwarani Primary School, Mapate Primary School, The Future Comprehensive School, Ntshoeng Primary School, Onismus Mogafe Primary School, Ramaahlo Primary School, Tlhona Sedimong Primary, Bakgalaka School, Lenkwane Primary School, MC Langa School, Mmantutule Secondary School, Monala Primary School, Monene Primary School, Nelly Primary, Nkgakgautha Primary School, Seepabana L Primary School, Sehojane Primary School, Sekoba  Secondary School, Gaza L Primary School, Pondo 2 Primary School, Greenside Primary School and Phomolong Primary School.
Bronze Awards (for schools involved in the programme for 1 year) were awarded to: Dikgabje Primary School, Kgopolo-E-Botse Primary, Kingfisher Private School, Makguguketja Primary School, Molapo-Matebele Primary School, Morulana Primary School, Thomo Primary School, Waterberg High School, Maimela Primary School, Maroboni Primary School, Matlhari High School, Karel Ngigideni Primary, Ekele Primary School, Ithuteng Primary School, Legolane Primary School, Mantshabe Primary School, Matsetseng Primary School, Nghatsani Primary School and Nkomo Primary School.
Participation Certificates (for schools that did not quite make the grade) were handed to: Segoreng Primary School, Khavhambe Primary School, Matshikiri Primary School, Tshikalange Primary, School, Tshikondeni Primary School, Muleonawatani Primary School and Sunrise Super Kids.