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8 September 2026 Media Release: GRDM Partners with Unisa third-year Social Work Students to Promote Waste Minimization

Media Release: GRDM Partners with Unisa third-year Social Work Students to Promote Waste Minimization

8 September 2026

On Friday, 4 September 2026, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Waste Management Section in partnership with Unisa third-year Social Work students (W. Odendaal and W. Baartman), strengthened its commitment to waste minimisation through a community-based Recycling and Composting Project at the Outeniqua Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) in George.

The initiative formed part of the students’ Practicum Community Work Project and provided an opportunity to combine social development with practical environmental action. The project focused on creating awareness and building practical skills in waste separation, recycling and composting, while encouraging sustainable waste management practices at the Centre.

As part of the initiative, participants received practical training on waste separation, recycling and composting. Henque Waste representative Andile Mobo covered recycling and waste separation, while GRDM Waste Management Officer Innocentia Sikweyiya demonstrated practical composting methods and the benefits of diverting organic waste from landfill. Participants were introduced to practical composting methods that can be implemented within community and institutional settings.

The Landmark Foundation representative, Monica Vaccaro, provided training on worm composting (vermicomposting), showing participants how worms can be used to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich compost while reducing waste sent to landfill.

A highlight of the day was the handover of recycling and composting equipment to the Outeniqua CYCC, enabling the Centre to continue applying the practices learned.

Photo captions (names listed in no particular order): Outeniqua CYCC Manager Barbara Nicolaas; GRDM Waste Management Officer Innocentia Sikweyiya; and Social Work students Wayne Odendaal and Wilmy Baarman.

The partnership with third-year Social Work students highlighted the importance of combining environmental sustainability with community development and showed that effective waste management is a shared responsibility. Through recycling, composting and better waste practices, communities can reduce landfill waste and create cleaner, healthier environments.

GRDM’s partnership with the Social Work students is a positive example of how education, community development and environmental sustainability can work together to address local challenges. Through partnerships like this, GRDM aims to promote waste minimisation, environmental awareness and sustainable waste management practices.

The Outeniqua CYCC project shows that meaningful change can start with education, partnership and practical action, contributing to a cleaner and greener Garden Route.

The Manager of Outeniqua CYCC, Mrs J. Fredericks, welcomed the project and thanked GRDM and the third-year Social Work students for their support. She said the initiative would improve the Centre’s waste management while giving learners valuable life skills and practical knowledge.

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