JNF’s eco-humanitarian work recognised

ANT KATZ

The eco-humanitarian work of the Jewish National Fund of SA (JNF-SA) was recognised once again – this time at the prestigious Eco-logic awards hosted by SABC 3 and enviropedia – where the JNF/Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre (WSEC) scooped the bio-diversity award.

“The Jewish National Fund has been improving Israel for over a century in areas of water preservation, forestry and environmental education,” says JNF-SA’s Benji Shulman. “The legacy of this work has had an impact all over the world,” says Benji, including in Africa. 

JNF-SA has made significant contributions in fields such as assisting in the introduction of bio-control measures that have saved countless commercial forests in SA. Its most well-known project is WSEC which started in Mamelodi, Pretoria nearly a decade ago to help previously disadvantaged learners to get a green education.

The facility boasts five dedicated classrooms each dedicated to an environmental issue: water; waste; bio-diversity; energy; and permaculture. Israeli technology and methodology is integrated into helping to create a unique experience for the more than 10 000 learners go through the centre annually.

“Thousands of other local community-members benefit from WSEC’s outreach activities,” says Shulman.

JNF/WSEC’s Eco-logic Award joins other trophies on their mantelpiece such as the Mail & Gaurdian Greening the Future Award, the Climate Change Leadership award and the SanParks Kudu Awards.

Amber Cummins, administrative director of JNF-SA, congratulated the centre’s staff on their excellent success. “We are delighted with the award,” she told Jewish Report, “it just goes to show how Israel and the Jewish community are contributing to the betterment of South Africa.”

Cummins says that WSEC relies on the sponsorship of corporate donors for its survival and that it contributes to sponsors’ BEE scorecard. “We would welcome contact with members of the community who have interest in Israel, the environment or tikkun olam as this is a project that combines all three,” she told Jewish report.

For information, see their websites: www.jnf.co.za and www.wsec.co.za