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SPONSORED BY CONSOL (SINCE 1993)
Summer Edition Vol 18 1998
CONTENTS:
 FAREWELL
TO A DEAR FRIEND
It was with deep sorrow that we received the news that Helen Seward had
passed away.
She was a founder member of Delta, working voluntarily as a receptionist
in the very early days during the building and renovation of the building. Helen had retired and was looking for something to keep her busy. In
1986 when the Centre opened she was employed as the receptionist and later
on took on the task of keeping the books. Helen has been part of the Delta
Team for the past 19 years. She was a friend, confidante, fountain of
good advice and even, at times, 'granny' to all of us at Delta over the
years. At regular intervals during the day she would make her way outdoors
to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the park while she took a 'smoke
break'. Helen was truly a committed member of the staff and we will miss
her. Nsiki, a recent addition to the Team, summed up all our feelings in
the following short poem she wrote to the family.
FOR WE CANNOT SEE YOU AGAIN
We all know that one day
We say goodbye
We all know that one day
Life will prevail
We say goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
Even the most rose we love
Even the most beautiful old lady like you!
Your smile will be always remembered
Even your puff of cigarette, left clouds
And painted imaginations in our memories.
We at Delta we loved you very much!
We knew that without you
Fire cannot burn in our homes
You, turned our 'Minister of Finance'
Farewell sweety friend farewell
Sleep, sleep and sleep peacefully
Rest, rest in peace!
Delta is on the Web
Delta is on the Web!
Environmental Education has found a new high-tech ally! Delta's website,
which was generously sponsored by Coca-Cola S.A. was launched on 27 October 1998. The site was designed and created by a leading internet company,
Wildnet Africa. In launching the site the Environmental and Computer industries
have joined forces to create a one-stop on-line resource about the environment.
It is a resource for teachers, school children and those interested in
pursuing a career in Environmental Education. The website contains a wealth
of information, including sections on corporate environmental training,
teacher support, community programmes, fun programmes for kids and a treasure
chest of environmental resources on any topic under the sun.
The diversity of Delta's programmes and projects will be featured on this
website thus providing a valuable marketing tool for the Centre and help
others not fortunate enough to be able to make physical use of the facilities
and resources by providing information on how to try and do it themselves.
If South African citizens are to live in an environmentally sustainable
way it is important to provide access to information, knowledge and skills
to do so. Hopefully the website will prove to be effective in doing this!
Visit Delta's website at :
School Visits Reveal Creativity
and Resourcefulness
Teacher workshops have been an integral part of the work done by Delta
for many years. However, we found it difficult to ascertain whether
the teachers were implementing what they had learnt at the workshops
in their schools. This year we started a new method of evaluating the
effectiveness of our workshops by wanting to find out whether the teachers
were using the information and sharing it with the other members of
their staff. At the end of each workshop we issue a challenge to all
the participants to try and put one thing they have learnt into practice
in their classroom. We offer to support and help where necessary and
visit if required. This strategy has proved to be a great success. One
of the most popular workshops on how to create resources using waste
materials generated some wonderfully innovative ideas. On visiting some
of the schools after the workshop, we were thrilled to see how the ideas
had been implemented and modified to suit different circumstances. We
in turn shared some of these ideas with other schools.
Girly Twaibana, the Head of the Educational Auxiliary Service of N7
District, became involved in this process and has been very impressed
with the spin-offs of these workshops and school visits. The teachers
are showing more initiative and confidence. Girly commented: "When it
comes to doing things with their hands even the slowest learners will
surprise you by creating something you did not expect". Teachers and
learners are gaining a great deal from these workshops and school visits.
It is hoped that this process will be continued and improved in the
years to come.
FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY
A group of Grade 3 children are all seated in the Auditorium waiting for
the start of the video when a voice pipes up, "Where's the popcorn??"
Lieberkuken.
(Turid Anderssen)
Try these German Xmas biscuits for a change. This recipe makes a very
large quantity so it lends itself to the true Xmas spirit of 'giving'.
Ingredients:-
12 cups flour
500gms marg.
5 cups brown sugar
8 lge. eggs
2 tspns. each of ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, bicarb., creme
of tartar.
Method:-
Cream sugar and marg. Beat eggs and stir into mixture. Mix dry ingredients
and sift into mixture. Mix well, it makes a stiff dough. Refrigerate for
4 hrs before rolling out in to half cm thick slab and cut into shapes.
Decorate some with 100's and 1000's before baking. Bake at 180 for 10
- 15 mins. Drizzle thick white water icing onto undecorated ones when
cool. Makes 4-5 dozen.
Keep in airtight container.
WHAT'S BREWING WITH WWET WWET WWET!!
Exciting new water adventures
WWET WWET WWET ON STAGE!
"Who is touching my precious water? said a deep and booming voice. Motlalephula
got such a fright that she fell down. When she dared to open her eyes there was a very big lake of the clearest deep water in front of her.
Light danced on the water and filled the cavern with magical reflections.
Inside the water - oh horror of horrors!- was an enormous........" See
the performance to find out how the story ends. Delta together with Klipspruit
Environmental Centre, Rand Water and the Year of Science and Technology
have combined forces to produce this Theatre Production. Rehearsals are
under way and the launch will take place on 13 - 17 November in Gauteng.
There are four planned performances, at Association of Science and Technology
Societies in Observatory, Promat College in Mamelodi, Krugersdorp Market
Place and the Vaal Technorama in Vereeniging. Thereafter the production
will visit various educational Institutions in Gauteng.
ENVIROTEACH.
WWET WWET WWET will be placing a 6 page article in the next edition of
EnviroTeach. This will include a written version of the Community Theatre
Production. The story will be interactive with teachers and learners providing
material for future issues. If you are involved in the new curriculum
the next edition is a MUST!
WATER WISE COURSE.
WWET WWET WWET are in the process of developing a Water Wise Course for
facilitators/teachers/learners so that they are empowered to include the
Water Wise philosophy in the school curriculum. The course will deal with
all aspects of water and water conservation. It is hoped that by including
this philosophy in the curriculum learners will grow up with water conservation
being part of their daily lives.
ADVENTURE LAND
This project is in the planning stage at present and will consist of a
hands-on environmental education theme park providing learners with the
opportunity to learn AND have fun! A site in Sandton has been identified
for the building of the park but will not include the usual 'ride' concept.
Learners will be encouraged to enjoy the outdoor environment through hands-on experiences. This type of learning will perhaps encourage enjoyment
and respect for the environment and empower the learner to to take action,
when necessary, to solve problems.
Rand Water with WWET WWET WWET have approached the Imagineering Company
who is to build the park, with a view to including water conservation
into the concept of this exciting new development.
 PROMISING
STUDENT RECEIVES RAND WATER BURSARY.
Kelvin Koraan, a young high school student, was granted a high school bursary
to attend Mondeor High school. In March 1997 he was invited to attend
a Walk for Water expedition. He thoroughly enjoyed the week and found
it an enriching and enjoyable experience.
In writing a letter to Rand Water he comments: "Educate a pupil and
you educate a nation. We as pupils have tried to convey that which we
have learnt ( about Water conservation) to our friends and family and to
make them more aware of the water conditions in our country. We abseiled,
went horse riding, laughed, got wet and interacted, but this was all part
of the education process and now we are able to plant our seeds of knowledge
in the lives of others and nurture them to become "Water Wise" citizens."
Kelvin entered the Expo for Young Scientists this year and went on to
win a silver award ! Well done Kelvin.
We are sure that you will be an inspiration to others and we wish you
well for the future.
PHOTO GALLERY
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| Parkhurst
Village Association and WWET clean up the Braamfontein Spruit |
Many
E.E Centres from around southern Africa attended a meeting at Lapalala
to network and explore relevant environmental issues. |
Rina
with the cast of the 'Water Wise' Community Theatre production. |
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| DANCED
sponsored Presha and Andrew on a visit to Denmark. Dressed in waders,
waterproof and ready to wade in the river at Esrum Mollegard Environmental
Central. |
Manzi
visited some 'Water Wise' friends |
Pietersburg Teachers
Workshop. Henry Wanyama with some of the teachers proudly displaying
their certificates at the end of the workshop. |
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Most of
the Delta Staff
Top, L-R: Edwin, George,
Cathy (hiding?), Ivan, Palesa, Truus, Carol, Tsipesto, Shirly
A.
Dee, Geoff with Tanaya and Lee (her mom).
Middle: Elias, Presha, Estee, shirley E., Aulene
Bottom: Turid (ex-staffer!). Carolyn, Jana, Bernard, Diana,
Di, Sandy
(Picture taken at the Witkoppen Wild Flower nursery in October
1998.)
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 PROFILE
- ESTEE BARENDS
Estee was appointed as Delta's new bookkeeper in September 1998. We welcome her to Delta and hope she will be happy working with us.
Estee grew up in Cape Town where she attended the Good Hope School. She started her school career there in sub A and eventually matriculated from the same school. After leaving school she worked at the school as a bookkeeper for 4 1/2 years while she studied part-time. She took courses and qualified in advertising theory and practise, public relations and computer accounting. She then went to work at Helderberg College as secretary to the Vice Rector of Student Affairs and public relations where she spent a very happy 2 years. During this time her husband spent some time overseas doing his MBA when he was recruited by the Standard Bank and transferred to Johannesburg. This meant that the whole family was to move to Gauteng in January 1998 where they eventually settled in Greenside.
Lyndon and Estee have two children, 14-year-old Eslyn and 8-year-old Lynray who attend Greenside High and Greenside Primary respectively. They both enjoy reading and swimming and have settled down very well in their new schools.
Estee's favourite pastime is working in her garden. She also enjoys ice skating but has not had a chance to pursue this in Johannesburg as yet.
As a born and bred Capetonian Estee and her family had many misgivings about the relocation to the iniquitous city of Johannesburg but she says that it has been a great deal better than she had been led to believe!! She has learnt her way around our highways and byways and she only misses Cape Town at the weekends! She says she does not miss the perpetual wind and the wet winters!!
Estee is enjoying working at Delta and we look forward to a long association with her and her family.
OWLS SHAPE
UP IN C3 WORKSHOP!
Delta was invited to participate in the C3 District 'hands-on' teachers training mornings held at JCE on the 6/7 October. We were asked to do practical workshops on both mornings using an environmental theme.
It was decided that the theme of 'Owls' would be used. The workshop consisted of games, a creative activity, information about owls and their niche in the environment and a session where the links to the new curriculum could be discussed and highlighted.
At the end of the two days of workshops a plenary session was called and all participating NGO's and lecturers were thanked and acknowledged with the presentation of certificates.
This was a very successful venture and the teachers left with plenty of new ideas and resources.
CENTRE ACTIVITIES
Presha and Andrew were fortunate enough to be able to undertake a study tour of Denmark, funded by DANCED. They came back with many interesting ideas having had a wonderful, if rather exhausting, trip!
Vivian, Angelique and Aulene presented the first session of the Rhodes University Certificate Course for Educators at Khabula Farm from the 28 September - 1 October.
Henry, Cathy and Edwin spent a few enjoyable days in the Kruger Park along with 10 local teachers and the Honorary Rangers, Johannesburg Region. Thank you Connie Schmidt for the excellent arrangements that were made on behalf of the group!
Henry and Adeline facilitated a day's training session on O.B.E. and Curriculum 2005 for the staff of the North West Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation.
Di attended the IUCN's Regional Conference held at the ESKOM Centre in Midrand from 21 - 23 September. It was a good opportunity to meet members from the southern Africa region and especially those who are members of the Commission for Education and Communication.
Rina facilitated two workshops in Pilanesberg for teachers from North West Province. These were supported by the Ford Foundation. The EnviroTeach magazine and a story written with a "Water Wise" theme formed the focus of these workshops.
An informative staff training session was presented by Andrea Hepplewhite of the Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery in October. SASOL Ltd. made this event possible.
Almost all the Delta staff were involved in a SASOL Sensory Trail gardening morning early in October. With a lusty rendition of "Shoshaloza" to keep us inspired a great deal of work was done! Two trees were planted in Helen's memory alongside the Trail.
10 teachers visit Kruger Park
Once again the Honorary Rangers sponsored 10 teachers on a visit to the Kruger Park.
These teachers, chosen for their commitment and enthusiasm at Delta workshops, attended a wonderful, information-packed weekend. In spite of having to coax one of the teachers out of the vehicle on reaching the destination (she was afraid of the predatory animals) the spirit of the Lowveld smiled on them as they were to see all of the 'Big Five'. They were introduced to different plant species and shared information about useful plants from all around Africa.
Around the campfire they exchanged cultural information, each person contributing something i.e. a Sotho harvesting dance, songs from Venda, Shangaan and Zulu origins, a Kenyan lullaby, an Irish limerick, a Greek sailor's dance and a crazy game called 'Kangala' which involves juggling with a hot coal!
The experience was wonderful and will live on in everyone's memories for a very long time.
This visit will be followed by a workshop where strategies to include the guiding principles behind the nature reserve will be brainstormed and developed.
BOOKMARK
The following new items have been donated to our Resource Centre recently:-
A beautiful large poster depicting the physical map of Africa and including interesting information on various different aspects. This was kindly donated by Elaine Spencer-White of Linkin.
SPECIAL THANKS.
*Letsatseng School children and their teacher Ms. L.M. Maakwe for the puppet show which they performed at our AGM.
*Pick 'n Pay, the Terrace, for providing food for the breakfast served prior to the AGM.
* Dalan and Laurice Taitz for the donation of a stuffed otter from their father's estate. We are planning to incorporate it into one of our museum exhibits in the near future.
* The Honorary Rangers (Johannesburg Region) for their ongoing support for teachers workshops and the annual trip for 10 teachers to the Kruger Park.
*SASOL Ltd, for the continued support for the maintenance, development and staff training required for the SASOL Sensory Trail. ( The Trail is a finalist in the 'Pocket Parks' category of the Townscape Millennium Public Spaces competition run by The Urban Green File publication.)
* Sandton Rotary Club for their enthusiastic support for the development and enhancement of the SASOL Sensory Trail.
Editor:- Carolyn Reid.
EXPLORING IN AND AROUND JOHANNESBURG by Ivan Ginsberg
How often do you hear people who live in Johannesburg say: 'We did not have anything to do this weekend so we walked around the mall whilst our kids played in the arcade'.
Sad though it is, numerous families fit the above scenario only too well. What makes this so sad is that reality and perception are miles apart! In reality there are countless destinations one and a half to two hours or less from Johannesburg where one can enjoy the wide open African spaces.
Opportunities to enjoy nature and introduce your children to a new, vibrant and natural world are out there. All that is needed is a little initiative as well as a 'spirit of adventure'. Here are a few suggestions that might take your fancy and set the ball rolling!!
A WEEKEND AWAY.
A wonderful camping experience lies in a beautiful little nature reserve aptly named 'Mountain Sanctuary Park' which nestles in the Magaliesburg mountains. There are an abundance of hiking and exploration trails and crystal clear streams as well as an array of wildlife. Outstanding birding and botanical experiences also present themselves.
To get there one takes the Hartbeespoort Dam road (R511) and drive westwards until reaching the Maanhaarand sign. Turn left and drive until you see the Mountain Sanctuary Signpost. This trip takes approximately 1 and 1/2 hours.
North West Parks, namely Pilanesberg and Borakalalo provide an abundance of outdoor adventures. Pilanesberg boasts the 'Big Five' as well as a spectacular volcanic setting. Borakalalo, the less commercialised sister park, offers a very rustic camping experience in permanent type tents and a host of bush drives. While it does not have the 'Big Five', it does have a hefty assortment of mammals, good birding and beautiful bushveld vegetation.
Nylsvlei Nature Reserves is a wonderful destination for those seeking a very rustic camping break. It is one of the best birding spots in the country, and when the vlei is flooded it presents an array of water birds that would even jolt the cynic! It is situated between Nylstroom and Naboomspruit, 8 kms. off the N1. An easy 2 hour drive from Johannesburg.
DAY VISITS.
The Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens are to be found approximately 30km from the city centre. These beautiful gardens boast the highest waterfall on the Witwatersrand with a variety of abundant plantlife. The last pair of black eagles in the Gauteng area are to be found nesting on the cliffs. Take a picnic basket and enjoy a tranquil interlude close to the city centre.
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve offers extensive hiking and game viewing opportunities. It has an excellent information centre and a museum. It is representative of typical Highveld scenery that once covered the whole area. It can be found just off the N3 near Heidelberg.
A very unique outing has to be the Tswaing Crater or Pretoria Soutpan. This is a meteorite impact site which measures over 1km in diameter. There are lovely bushveld views and hiking here is most rewarding. There is an enviromuseum at the site which adds to the educational character. It is 100km north of Johannesburg on the N1, proceed to Onderstepoort and the drive about 40km to the Tswaing Sign post.
Hartbeestpoort Dam and its environs offer numerous rambling and exploration opportunities. A trip up the hill in the cable car can be great fun.
The Magaliesburg mountains present outstanding hiking experiences and there are many trails throughout the range. The Jhb. Hiking Club spends most weekends on one or other of these trails. Why not join them for an invigorating experience!
This is just a sample of the many interesting outings that can be undertaken close to Johannesburg and there are many more!
Next time you are wondering what to do with your free time try something different - hit the outdoors instead of the mall!!
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY PACKS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The KwaZulu Department of Education together with Share-Net developed the Environmental Policy Pack to support teachers in the process of phasing Environmental Policies into all schools over the next 3 years.
Presha and Vivian have introduced these into the schools where they have been working with teachers since the end of last year. The aim of these policy packs is to empower schools to take a good look at the state of their school and local environment and then become proactive in improving it through co-operation between all members of the school (including the learners) and the local community.
Sunnyside School in Pretoria took these principles to heart and have set about developing an environmental policy for their school. They carried out a successful water audit, identifying problems with water wastage and making plans to correct these. The entire school, learners and members of staff were involved in this and they intend to tackle other issues next year as well as ensuring that the whole community is made environmentally aware. Well done Sunnyside Primary School, we commend you for your efforts!
SPONSORSHIP
Sentrachem, S.A. Breweries Beer Division, Alpha Ltd., The Bidvest, ESKOM, Nestle S.A., B.P. South Africa, Sappi Ltd., Shell S.A.,
WWF South Africa, Joint Education Trust, Swiss Re Southern Africa, Dept. of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Liberty Life Group, Gencor Development Trust, Ceres Fruit Juices, Pick 'n Pay, P.G. Glass and Shatterprufe Ind., M.S.Parker Trust, Basil Read, Murray and Roberts, Samancor Ltd., Consol Group, Blue Circle, ICI South Africa, Bilston Investments (Pty) Ltd., Nampak Management Services, Tongaat - Hulett Group Ltd., NBS(Germiston), DANCED, Rand Water, TOTAL S.A., S.A. Reserve Bank, A.B.I. Ltd., Northern Metro Local Council, Eastern Metro Subtstructure, Clicks, Fedsure, Mazda Wildlife Fund, Anglo American and De Beers Chairmans Fund Educational Trust, Gold Fields Foundation, Standard Bank Foundation, National Recycling Forum S.A., National Parks (Honorary Rangers, Johannesburg), SASOL, Truworths, IDC, Mac Steel, The Ford Foundation, Coca-Cola S.A.
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