Waterford launches campaign to raise E50m for solar farm project
MBABANE – Call it thinking outside the box. Waterford KaMhlaba (WK) School has embarked on a fund-raising drive to collect E50 million (approximately US$2.7M) for the school’s solar farm project.
This transpired yesterday evening during the annual Michael Stern Lecture, hosted at the school, where a number of guests, mostly parents, were invited.
Making her remarks during the event, the school’s Principal, Jackie Otula, explained that the objective of the project was to see the school migrating off the national grid with the aim of moving towards carbon neutrality by the year 2030.
“We humbly request members of the WK community, including alumni, as well as our partners and the public to help us achieve this goal by making generous donations and supporting this fundraising campaign. It is our desire to have the solar farm established by mid-year 2024. In my language, our elders say dhako ber gokupane (loosely translated to mean: Every woman needs her unique basket). Please help fill our WK basket towards a carbon neutral community,” she appealed.
Otula pointed out that in the ideal world, resources were finite, adding that; ‘‘like a bottomless pit from where we may draw our finances, or like our dams, and the permaculture garden that should supply us with endless litres of water and vegetables simultaneously.”
“Yet our ecological, human and finances are depletable and more so, when we turn a blind eye to the need to keep our systems healthy. In recent years, our world has undergone remarkable changes, and as a school community, we are not exempted from the responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.”
The principal pointed out that sustainability, at its core, was about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. She said it was about embracing practices that ensure the longevity of the planet, fostering environmental responsibility, and instilling a sense of stewardship in each of them.
She said this was at the crux of their five-year strategic plan, stating that as a learning institution, they play a vital role in shaping the values and habits of their students. Otula said the school embraced sustainability in various aspects of their daily lives, emphasising that they were committed to reducing their ecological footprint. She said this meant being mindful of their energy consumption, minimising waste, and promoting practices that protect their natural resources, pointing out that simple acts, such as turning off lights when not needed and recycling their waste, collectively made a significant impact.
“Our curriculum is a powerful tool for instilling sustainable values in our students. We integrate lessons on environmental stewardship, climate change, and sustainable practices in various ways and are happy that our students are taking the lead in this regard. In this sense, we are able to equip our students with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to become responsible global citizens. It is encouraging to know that our deeper commitment to environmental sustainability has been demonstrated over the years through a series of green initiatives within our school. These include tree-planting projects, waste reduction campaigns, dams, and water harvesting projects, permaculture gardens, and bio-digester. Ours is a rallying call to our students, and staff to actively participate in these initiatives.”
Otula also emphasised that sustainability was a collaborative effort, stating that as a school, they will continue to actively engage with their local community to foster
partnerships that promote environmental awareness and community well-being, especially through their CAS or community service programme. She said together, they can amplify their impact and inspire others to join them in this journey.
“Our commitment to sustainability is evolutionary; it is a journey of continuous improvement. As WK, we commit to regularly assess our practices, seek innovative solutions, and adapt our approaches to align with the latest advancements in sustainable living. For us, embracing sustainability therefore, is not just a choice, it’s a responsibility we owe to our planet and future generations. As Mahatma Gandhi states, let us be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Otula further said they were delighted to acknowledge that this aligns with His Majesty’s government’s commitment to achieving energy self-sustainability, as emphasised by His Excellency, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Russel Dlamini in his recent address at the Italy-Africa Summit hosted in Rome. During this event, the PM articulated Eswatini’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by five percent by the year 2030.
“Tonight, we are honoured to have our very own Eco Estates Manager, speak on the topic sustainable solutions from a school born of hope.”