Taking a moment to connect with nature, Unisans observe Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a globally recognised event which is intended to raise awareness about the environmental effects of energy consumption. This annual event, which takes places on the last Saturday of March and is organised by the World Wildlife Fund, also encourages people to turn off their lights for one hour, during which they can reflect on their contribution towards the climate crisis and how they can work towards making the planet healthier.

Earth Hour inspires nations and communities to work toward a more sustainable and equitable future in which both people and nature thrive.

On 24 March 2023, Unisans gathered at the e-garden in the institution’s Muckleneuk Campus to observe Earth Hour by participating in a fun walk across the main campus, raising awareness of the significance of connecting with nature and the importance of protecting the planet from climate harm brought by man-made actions.

Department of Quality Assurance and Enhancement Members setting the tone for the fun walk (from left): Kedibone Thantsha, Risk Specialist, Rendani Nematandani, Sustainability Officer, Nompe Ntombela, Integrated Report Writer, Elliot Makama, Performance Auditor, and Nomi Mnotoza, Administrator

Rendani Nematandani from the Department of Quality Assurance and Enhancement said Earth Hour is a very significant day. “As an institution of higher learning with a core mandate of teaching and learning,” said Nematandani, “Unisa must continue to raise awareness of this day through having students and staff members participate in the ceremonial light switching-off moment, connecting with nature, and educating others in their communities about the significance of climate conservation.”

Nematandani said there are a number of activities through which individuals and companies can observe this day, adding that during the recording of Unisa’s 150th anniversary celebration CD at a live concert, there will be a moment when the band pauses their use of electrical equipment, and, instead, play an acoustic piece to observe Earth Hour.

Unisans marking Earth Hour by participating in the fun walk

“So far, Unisa has taken substantial steps towards the reduction of its carbon footprint, as part of its mandate to uphold the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals” said Nematandani. These include:

• Installation of solar photovoltaic panels at the RR Maluleka Building on the Muckleneuk Campus and the Horticulture Centre at the Science Campus
• The Lenasia Campus solar and biogas project
• Water harvesting at, among others, Sunnyside Building 9, Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre (Daveyton), and the Library building
• The attainment of green status by the Parow Campus in the Western Cape

Detailing some of the projects that the department is working on, Nematandani said of the utmost importance is the establishment of the Sustainability Office in the portfolio Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, Department of Quality Assurance and Enhancement, which focuses on ensuring the embedding of the sustainability framework in the university strategy.

Some of the plans which are already afoot, include:

• Development and implementation of campus masterplans aimed at ensuring the creative and innovative management of resources such as water energy, alternative energy and waste
• The localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the formation of a Sustainable Development Goals Committee
• Reporting on greenhouse gas emissions on the South African Greenhouse Gas Emissions System of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
• Voluntary disclosures through Unisa’s Integrated Report, Annual Report, and the United Nations Global Compact report
• Raising awareness of environmental issues through indabas and other public forums
• Partnership with national and local government on environmental and sustainability matters
• Participation in the Universities South Africa approved Higher Education Sustainability Community of Practice, of which Unisa is a host

An Earth Hour fun walk will also take place at Unisa’s Science Campus on Friday, 31 March.

#Unisa150

*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement