According to Ms Siphesihle Bukhosini, a hydrologist with over twelve (12) years practicing experience in the fields of environment, everyone can do their part in saving the planet. Sihle, as she is popularly known in the sector is a self-taught science communicator, believes that awareness and education has a critical part to play in the fight against climate change.
Sihle believes that such actions calls
for people that will be patient enough to
engage the community about the need
to take care for the environment so that it
can take care of us and the generations to
come. She believes that as South Africans
we are not doing enough to care of our
environment. Based on her experience of
having been raised in the rural village, then
moving into a busy city, her perception
is that people do not care about the
environment. “There are a lot of other
pressing issues that the not so well-off
citizens are grappling with than taking
care of the environment”, she says.
Sihle is of the view that South Africa is behind as compared to the rest of the world when it comes to
environmental conservation. However, she also believes that there are pockets of areas that have
made better strides.
“Environmental education play a massive role in the society, making an example with litter:
as a society we have grown to believe that throwing a paper in town is creating a job for
somebody else”, says Sihle. “We can learn from there and do our part, it is never too late, she
emphasised. It all starts with one person. Do not be scared to start. South Africa is depending
on you for a cleaner, healthier environment”, she added.
We need more awareness, practising, and monitoring in order for South Africa to catch-up with the
rest of the world when it comes to practicing green economy. A strategy that will help the society to
find beauty and income generation avenues in litter management is needed. Sihle’s advice to South
Africans is that every person has a role to play. Sihle, who is currently the Principal for WESSA
Sishen Environmental Education Centre started her journey in environmental education more than a
decade ago, when she was exposed to Olwazini Education Centre in Pietermaritzburg.
“I thought to myself, I can take this to my village in KwaNgwanase, so that my community
especially learners can have a science play centre that will enable them to think beyond their
limited resource. I had to start somewhere all I had was the beautiful environment and clear
skies. Being a hydrologist, I used what I had to bring awareness, appreciation and the love of
the environment”, concluded Sihle.