Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Orion Eco-Schools Project.

In Dumani Primary School eco-garden, from left: Vusumzi Magwala - Gardener, Nomfundo Ndlovu -WESSA, Cindy-Lee Cloete - WESSA, Xoliswa Mambalu - Dumani Teacher, Roland Loganathan - Orion Engineered Carbons Managing Director. Learners from left: Manyano Fani, Onke Manqaba, Iminathi Nelo.

On Friday the 22nd of October 2021, Orion Engineered Carbons together with WESSA held a 10 year Anniversary “Certificate Handover” celebration for educators of the schools they have been working with as an acknowledgment of the schools’ enthusiasm, passion and effort, for their sustainable, eco-friendly long-term initiative.

The celebration was formally opened by the general manager of WESSA Cindy-Lee Cloete, a very passionate woman about the Eco-Schools programme and it's positive impact to learners and the teachers of the participating schools. She had further encouraged the teachers to brag about the amazing results they have accomplished as they continue to implement the work in their schools. Amongst the invited it was a number of media houses around the Nelson Mandela Bay, Miss Noluthando Kapela the Circuit Manager of the Department of Basic Education and Loyiso Bala the new Business Manager of both uMhlobo Wenene Fm and Tru Fm radio stations. The educators proudly shared about their Eco-Schools journey too, where one of them recognized the impactful involvement of WESSA and Orion in their schools, how they themselves as teachers have been exposed to gardening through this program and the role the schools are playing to influence the community to go green.

Mr Roland Loganathan – Managing Director, Orion Engineered Carbons spoke fondly of the relationship they have with WESSA. “I’m so delighted and honored to be part of this celebration of the long-enduring partnership between Orion Engineered Carbons and WESSA. We have a great relationship because Orion and WESSA both share a passion for education and the environment. These interests have come together in the Orion Eco Schools Project”, he said.

The teachers from the programme, together Orion Engineered Carbon MD Roland Loganathan, Nomfundo Ndlovu, Cindy-Lee Cloete and Loyiso Bala on far right.

Most recently, Orion collaborated with WESSA to hold a workshop with 14 teachers from seven schools. They came together to learn about healthy soil and how schools can maintain the soil in their gardens. The Orion Eco Schools Project also supports the National School Nutrition Programme to promote sustainable gardens at schools.

“We’re always looking for ways to give back to the community, which has been our home for a long time. We have been in Gqeberha for the past 60 years, and we’re the only carbon black manufacturer in Sub - Sahara Africa. We plan to remain here to support the automotive sector for many more years to come”.

“The material that Orion produces at 14 sites worldwide is added to products that we all use every day, providing beauty and protection to them. It’s added to paint and other coatings to make goods more attractive. It’s added to tires to make them wear longer. It provides UV protection to things like dashboards in cars. It’s also used in batteries to help them conduct electricity”, added Mr Roland.

“We may have started the initiative, but it would have not been this successful without you as educators, you have played a huge role in implementing it – thank you”, said Clint Van Niekerk, the HR Manager of Orion as his closing comment.

The participating Schools are: Canzibe Primary School, Dumani Primary School, Empumalanga Primary School, Elufefeni Primary School, Fumisukoma Primary School, Khulile Primary School, Mboniselo Primary School, Motherwell High School, Seyisi Primary School, Vukani Bantu Primary School.

Images by: Luyolo Msabane

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