|
Learners from across the city spent a school day outside the classroom, but they still got a lot of learning done at the Water Festival.
Children from various schools got to intermingle and play together
TEACHING and learning was done in a different environment when 800 learners from 10 Joburg schools escaped their classrooms to visit Johannesburg Water's Water Festival on Wednesday, 23 April.
To break the ice, so to speak, the children first played games before taking a journey through the water wise lessons, conducted by various service providers.
Mrs Thebe, a teacher from Sedibathuto Primary School in Mapetla, was pleased her class was included. "This is very educational and entertaining because these kids will go inside and have a discussion on how to save water. I also think that coming here is a good idea as it breaks the monotony of a classroom environment."
Learners enjoyed themselves, learning, playing games and making friends with children from other schools.
"Being here is fun and good because we get to meet people from different schools and make friends with them," said Mokoma Tholoana, a learner at Alpha Primary School in Lenasia.
They played tug of war, among other games, and sang and danced. But it was not all fun - after the entertainment it was time for lessons, and the kids visited the exhibiting stands and learned how to be water wise.
At the City Parks stand, they were given a questionnaire focusing on water, with true or false options. They were also taught how to take care of plants but still use water wisely and sparingly.
Lessons
Among the lessons they learned was not to leave taps dripping, as this wastes a lot of water each day; they learned not to leave the tap running while they cleaned their teeth; they learned to choose indigenous plants for their gardens as these used less water.
They were also taught not to water plants unnecessarily if they wanted to save water; using watering can instead of a hosepipe also cuts water wastage.
Other municipal-owned entities and service providers exhibiting at the festival are City Power, Pikitup, Johannesburg Roads Agency, metro police, emergency management services, Metrobus and Rand Water. Companies exhibiting at the festival include Lesira Teq and Swimming South Africa.
According to the chairperson of the City's portfolio committee for infrastructure and services, Noncela Molwele, the exhibitions by the municipal-owned entities is a way to ensure that better service delivery is provided for all.
"I am confident that we are making great strides to raise the levels of delivery across a range of services to all people in the city. The City government and management have committed themselves to this process and we will continue to work towards making Johannesburg a world-class African City."
The Water Festival ends on Sunday, 27 April, although there is not another schools day. However, there is a corporate and exhibition day on 24 April; a golf day and gala dinner on Friday, 25 April; and a fun run-walk and family day on Sunday, 27 April.
Joburg Water's Water Festival is on at Elkah Stadium, on the corner of Lefatola and Gumede streets in Rockville, Soweto. Entrance is free. For further information, contact Ellah Ndlovu on 011 476 5569 or 072 774 5170, or via email on
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Related stories:
|
