1. Executive Summary
On 19 February 2026, eThekwini Municipality successfully hosted the Back to School Campaign and Waste Mascot Launch in partnership with Fibre Circle and key environmental and industry stakeholders. The event marked the official unveiling of “Nono,” the City’s Waste Management Mascot, developed through a School Mascot Design Competition aimed at promoting environmental awareness among learners.
The initiative forms part of the Municipality’s broader waste minimisation and environmental education strategy, designed to foster responsible waste disposal practices and cultivate long-term behavioural change within communities. The programme combined stakeholder engagement, educational outreach, prize recognition, and strategic partnership alignment.
2. Purpose and Strategic Objectives
The primary objectives of the event were to:
- Officially launch “Nono” as the City’s Waste Management Mascot.
- Strengthen environmental education initiatives within schools.
- Promote responsible waste disposal and recycling practices.
- Recognise and reward participating schools in the Mascot Design Competition.
- Reinforce collaboration between the Municipality, industry partners, and environmental authorities.
The mascot name “Nono” is derived from the isiZulu word inono, meaning “clean” or “neat,” symbolising the campaign’s central message of cleanliness, pride, and environmental responsibility.
3. Programme Overview
The event programme was structured into two key segments:
3.1 First Session – Site Visit (08:30 – 09:30)
The programme commenced with a site visit to a cleaned and beautified area associated with local schools, including Ukukhanyakwelanga and Christopher Nxumalo Primary Schools. This segment demonstrated tangible outcomes of waste management and environmental clean-up initiatives and provided practical context to the day’s proceedings.
The visit underscored the Municipality’s commitment to visible environmental improvements and community-level engagement.
3.2 Second Session – Formal Programme (09:45 – 12:00)
The formal programme featured leadership addresses, partner messages of support, entertainment, prize handovers, and the official mascot reveal.
Leadership Addresses
The event opened with a welcome address delivered by Ward Councillor Cllr Hugh Makhathini, who reaffirmed the Municipality’s commitment to cleaner communities and active citizen participation. Opening remarks by Mr Siyanda Goge, Manager: Education & Waste Minimisation, highlighted the strategic importance of youth-focused environmental education initiatives.
Ms Noluthando Magewu, Director: Waste Management Directorate, outlined the purpose of the day and contextualised the mascot launch within the Municipality’s broader waste minimisation strategy.
Messages of Support from Partner Organisations
The Messages of Support segment demonstrated strong multi-sector collaboration supporting the initiative. Representatives from government, environmental authorities, and industry partners collectively reinforced a unified commitment to sustainability and youth empowerment.
The Department of Education (uMlazi District) emphasised the importance of integrating environmental responsibility into school programmes and encouraged learners to act as ambassadors of cleanliness within their schools and communities. The address recognised schools as key platforms for cultivating responsible citizenship and environmental stewardship.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) aligned the initiative with national sustainability priorities, highlighting the importance of waste minimisation, recycling, and circular economy principles. The representative commended the Municipality’s proactive role in translating national environmental goals into actionable local programmes.
Fibre Circle, operating within the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting recycling awareness, packaging recovery initiatives, and industry-municipal partnerships. The organisation recognised the mascot initiative as an innovative communication tool capable of simplifying complex sustainability concepts for young audiences.
MetPac-SA contributed a strong research and industry perspective to the programme. Dr Ravi Nadar, Research Analyst at MetPac-SA, delivered a dynamic and interactive presentation focused on sustainability principles, responsible packaging use, and practical recycling practices. The session was designed to be participatory and learner-centred, encouraging engagement through scenario-based questioning and real-life examples.
Learners enthusiastically participated in the session, confidently answering questions related to recycling symbols, waste separation techniques, and environmentally responsible behaviour. Those who responded correctly were awarded prizes sponsored by MetPac-SA. This interactive approach enhanced learner engagement, reinforced key sustainability messages, and demonstrated the effectiveness of experiential learning in environmental education programmes.
Collectively, the Messages of Support reflected strong alignment between public sector leadership, environmental regulators, producer responsibility organisations, and research institutions. The segment reinforced that sustainable waste management is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated effort, continuous education, and community participation.
Entertainment and Mascot Reveal
The programme included entertainment by Ningizimu Special School, contributing to an inclusive and celebratory atmosphere.
The event concluded with:
- Goodies handover to participating schools.
- Prize handover to the Mascot Design Competition winners.
- Official reveal of “Nono.”
- Vote of thanks delivered by the Deputy Director.
4. Mascot Design Competition Outcomes
The Waste Management Mascot was developed through the previous year’s School Mascot Design Competition. The initiative encouraged learners across the municipality to express creativity while deepening their understanding of sustainable waste management.
Competition Results
1st Place | Warner Beach Primary School | R30,000
2nd Place | Sunbeam Primary School | R15,000
3rd Place | Umdloti Primary School | R7,500
The prize funding is intended to strengthen waste management initiatives and environmental programmes within the respective schools.
5. Strategic Partnerships and Impact
The success of the Back to School Campaign and Waste Mascot Launch reflects strong collaboration between key stakeholders, including:
- eThekwini Municipality
- Fibre Circle
- Department of Education
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
- MetPac-SA
This partnership model demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated public-private engagement in strengthening environmental awareness initiatives, enhancing recycling programmes, and promoting behavioural change among youth.
MetPac-SA made a significant contribution to the overall success of the event through both educational engagement and material sponsorship. In addition to delivering an interactive sustainability session, MetPac-SA sponsored 100 reusable shopping bags and 100 branded lanyards, which were distributed to learners as gifts. These items served not only as tokens of appreciation but also as practical tools reinforcing sustainable behaviour, particularly the reduction of single-use plastic bags.
Furthermore, MetPac-SA sponsored the music and sound system for the event, ensuring high-quality audio delivery throughout the programme. This contribution enhanced the professionalism and overall experience of the event, supporting clear communication during speeches, interactive sessions, and entertainment segments.
The introduction of Nono as a Waste Management Ambassador, supported by these collaborative efforts, provides the Municipality with a long-term communication asset capable of engaging diverse audiences and reinforcing sustainability messaging across schools and communities.
Collectively, the contributions from all partners underscore a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, and the advancement of integrated waste management strategies within eThekwini Municipality.
6. Conclusion
The Back to School Campaign and Waste Mascot Launch was successfully executed and achieved its strategic objectives. The event strengthened stakeholder relationships, reinforced environmental education priorities, and formally introduced Nono as a symbol of cleanliness, pride, and environmental responsibility.
Through sustained collaboration and continued engagement with schools, the initiative is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to improved waste management practices and the development of cleaner, greener communities across eThekwini Municipality.
