Students commit to sustainability projects
- Wits University
Members of the Green Campus Initiative, located within Wits residences, are determined to create a sustainable campus, working alongside their peers
More than 6 000 students reside on campus and at Wits-managed residences. This segment of students are a force for good in ensuring a resource-efficient campus as Wits is both a place of study and where they live.
On Saturday, 16 March 2024, students from several Wits residences gathered at a workshop, the first of its kind, to discuss how they could contribute to raising awareness around climate change and sustainable use of resources.
These students are members of the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) under the Living and Learning Communities initiated by Campus Housing and Residence Life, which falls under the Student Affairs Division.
Kamogelo Mabe, Resident Student Assistant and a BA Honours student, who organised the workshop, believes that the GCI is “a step towards building a different lifestyle on our campus for both the present and distant future.”
“The University has served many generations, and we must ensure that it can continue for yet another century by holistically taking care of it through environmental sustainability initiatives.”
Mabe, who previously served as the 2023 SRC Deputy President, is optimistic that the GCI will pave the way to empower students with knowledge about climate change and to be actively involved in bringing about behavioural and lifestyle changes.
Other workshop presenters included Bongane Sibanyoni, Nedbank Executive: Governance and Compliance; Lusanda Cain, Wits Residences Operations Manager; and Buhle Zuma, Wits Sustainability Committee member and Senior Communications Officer.
Acting now for a better future
In 2023 Wits University adopted the Wits Sustainability Strategy which outlines six areas of impact on the quest to reduce its carbon footprint. Whilst several initiatives are underway to reconfigure operational areas to realise these targets, Wits students and staff have a key role to play beyond systems.
“We have a huge task ahead of us and look forward to working collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure students fully appreciate what’s at stake,” Mabe.
The Green Campus Initiative is open to all residence students regardless of their field of study. Interested parties can contact: Selina.Pendehama@wits.ac.za
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