Qumbu Technical High School Black Wattle Clearing Project Mr. M. Jikijela Qumbu - Eastern Cape Contents of Presentation       Problem Statement Background Implementation Learning Areas Challenges Recommendation and Way Forward Problem Statement Increase in crime levels and abduction of children and women in the area(2007)  Exodus of children to other schoolsunsafe environment  Spread of wattle to community – invading of agricultural land  Background Qumbu Tech is in Mhlontlo Local Municipality in Tsilitwa Village, ward 19 having approximately 50 ha of land infested by Black Wattle  Objectives acknowledged by the School IAP’s destroy biodiversity, taking up Agric Land and grasslands in the area  Wattle is Grouped as a category 1 plant according to the CARA- Conservation of Agricultural Resource ACT  Implementation – Phase 1 1.    Creation of Awareness Learners Workshops - Partnering with Hans Marensky and PG Bison Community Mobilization for buy in the envisaged project Learners and community involved in arranged field visits to – Hans Marensky and PG Bison 2. Greening Initiatives • Purchasing of Indigenous trees as one of the intervention programs (Olive Trees and Fruit Trees) • 11 schools were sponsored by Dept. of Education and Qumbu Technical School purchased from ARC • Trees were planted by learners guided by Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries • Schools has dedicated educators looking into greening initiatives 3. Firewood  Rooster developed for Learners to collect firewood- monitored by educators  Firewood used for cooking in the soup kitchen funded by Dept of Education  Learning areas covered- Learning Areas Covered Learning Area Outcome 1. Economic Management Science Potential for selling Firewood 2. Life Orientation Geographical Knowledge and understanding Challenges Funding for equipment • Safety of learners and community • Training of learners and community members on clearing of black wattle • Marketing and transportation of wood • Separation of scope of work for both school and community • Lack of science educators •Lack of best agricultural practices • Recommendations & Way forward  School to be adopted and mentored by departments etc.  Planned safety campaign involving SAPS, Dept. of Social development & Education  Integration of biological control within the project Action Plan Stakeholder awareness campaign Host weed buster week Launch of the project CONCLUSION RSA –water scarce country  Thank you! 