Spotlight on Youth Month: NW Department seeks to drive change

                                                               

In celebration of Youth Month under the theme “Youth Bringing Change in the Environment”, DEDECT is proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done by youth-led environmental clubs across the North West. One such shining example is the Small Five Environmental Club, based in Potchefstroom’s Ikageng location.

          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Founded in May 2017, the Small Five Environmental Club is a vibrant, youth-led initiative operating as an out-of-school environmental club under DEDECT’s Environmental Club Structure Programme. The club aims to inspire, educate, and mobilize communities toward sustainable environmental practices through dynamic activities such as environmental awareness campaigns, calendar day celebrations, eco-camps, and community-based project development.

     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       DEDECT is supporting the Small Five Club through its Waste Economy Programme, which champions innovation in waste beneficiation and recycling. The programme plays a vital role in promoting economic growth and job creation through initiatives such as:
• Waste picker integration
• Development of waste cooperatives and SMMEs
• Pilot projects focusing on waste-to-energy and waste beneficiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Through this partnership, the Small Five Club currently manages two community-based waste transfer stations located at Resolofetse and  B.A. Seobi Primary Schools, both generously donated by PETCO. These transfer stations serve as hubs for recycling education and community engagement.

       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Since launching the school-based recycling project in September 2023, the club has:
• Established active environmental clubs at both participating schools
• Conducted multiple clean-up events and ongoing awareness campaigns
• Collected and recycled waste worth R4,041.00 to date
• Partnered with key stakeholders including PETCO and DEDECT

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         This initiative is not only reducing local waste and promoting a culture of recycling, but it also creates an educational platform that introduces learners and community members to environmental stewardship. Recyclables such as paper, plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard are collected, sorted, and linked to local Buy-Back Centres like Desiner Recycling—providing both environmental literacy and micro-economic benefits.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Despite facing resource challenges, the Small Five Environmental Club , is more than a club, it’s a movement, which continues to work tirelessly with schools and surrounding communities in Ikageng. They provide young people with opportunities to:
• Learn about responsible waste management
• Develop leadership skills through school club roles
• Gain public speaking experience during community campaigns
• Explore sustainability-focused career paths

       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The project has become a safe, empowering platform for youth to gain real-world experience in the waste economy and environmental advocacy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   As we commemorate Youth Month, we salute the passionate young environmentalists of the Small Five Environmental Club. They are not only changing the narrative around waste but are also becoming role models and leaders of a greener, more sustainable future.

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Updated: June 2025
 
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