Oil giant invests in Zululand youth

THE world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas company ExxonMobil’s South African subsidiary has set its sight on Zululand to help educate children on the importance of conservation.
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production SA, in partnership with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of SA (WESSA), on Wednesday officially launched the Environmental Education Programme to commemorate National Environmental Month.
The programme will over the next 12 months give 440 learners from eight rural schools in the region the opportunity to visit the WESSA Twinstreams Environmental Education Centre’s ‘outdoor classroom’ in Mtunzini over a three-day period.
Out and about exploring the pristine forest, they will learn about environmental issues, enjoy outdoor activities and develop observation and analytical skills.
Twinstreams has so far already been an eye-opener for pupils from eShowe’s John Wesley Primary and eSikhaleni’s Matamzana High.
‘This place has changed our Grade 12 pupils’ lives,’ said Mtamzana High’s Principal Bongumusa Dlamini.
‘The activities exposed them to the nature and biodiversity they only knew about from a classroom and brought home the importance of looking after the planet.’
President and Country Manager of ExxonMobil, Peter Claypool, said the programme was identified to address a common lack of basic environmental knowledge among youth.
‘Many learners miss out on invaluable hands-on environmental learning experiences that are in most cases only accessible to learners from more affluent areas.
‘Although environmental education is part of the school curriculum in South Africa, many are unable to attend and participate in educational environmental excursions due to financial restraints.’
WESSA’s Director of Environmental Education, Dr Jim Taylor, said the ‘human-created environmental crisis’ can only be addressed by working with people and educating them about the alternatives towards more sustainable living.
‘The environmental crisis that we face is directly the result of how humans live on this planet.
‘This is our last chance to save ourselves.
‘WESSA is grateful for any support to help educate young people about environmental issues and risks.’