Manzi drops in to schools, promoting water saving for World Water Week
25 August 2023
As part of World Water Week celebrations, the City’s Water Conservation team led a fun-filled educational awareness programme, to teach primary school learners how to become more water-wise. An innovative board game proved to be an impactful educational tool, designed to progress players who observe good water practices. Not only was the day interactive, it was also made memorable by a special appearance from ‘Manzi,’ the City’s Water and Sanitation mascot.
The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate plans initiatives throughout the year to spread awareness about the importance of saving water.
The theme for World Water Week 2023 held in Stockholm, Sweden this year is 'Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World'. The impact that the specialised Water Conservation unit has had is significant as they work at the heart of communities educating residents in their homes, schools and workplaces, encouraging residents to be mindful of their habits and to look for opportunities to reduce water consumption.
Yesterday, the team visited Christel House in Ottery and treated Grade R – Grade 7 learners to an action-packed morning. The learners pledged to save water and encouraged their friends to do the same, while listening attentively and repeating the helpful tips shared by the animated presenter.
The highlight of the programme was when learners got a chance to compete in a giant 4m x 4m water-themed board game. The game was developed in-house in 2007, during the drought, and has seen a number of modifications and improvements over time. The aim of the game is to promote behavioural change and to share information about the City's water by-laws.
'At Christel House, we teach our learners the importance of giving back to their communities. Being water-wise is another way that they can do this. The school also makes use of rain and groundwater to take care of our gardens. Through our science and recycling clubs we've found methods to catch rainwater and dewdrops, using plastic bottles to water plants. The exciting learning experience offered by the City provided an opportunity for our learners to engage in solving real world problems,' said Carol Kriel, principal of Christel House Junior School.
Besides school awareness programmes, the Water Conservation team also does activations at shopping malls, religious institutions, businesses and major lifestyle events around Cape Town.
'We must continue to find innovative ways to spread the important message of how our collective habits can preserve or deplete our valuable water resources. Age-appropriate programmes, not only improve understanding, but stimulate an interest in sharing what we learn with others. The Water Conversation team has already held more than 60 similar engagements since the start of the new financial year, and are geared up to reach thousands more as the year unfolds,' said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation. Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
