Sosh Students Dig into Environmental Sustainability as DED Marks Earth Day.
By: Lynnet Mathebula
Twitter: @Lynnet_M
Email: Lynnetnomusa@gmail.com
Tshwane University of Technology, Soshanguve residences clashed over campus recycling and waste management as The Directorate of Extracurricular Development (DED) hosted earth day debate at the Tshwane University of Technology CCT hall on April 22, in celebration of earth day.
Teams from TUT student accommodations TCE 1, TCE 2, and CCT Towers delved into various motions, unpacking challenges and issues around environmental sustainability and the impact humans have on the environment. The Teams put emphasis on how individual lifestyles negatively affect the environment.
TCE 1 representative, Pono Mate highlighted that the use of perfumes and aerosols contribute immensely to the deteriorating ecosystem, threatening the future of a better world for generations to come.
“It is basically us killing the world that we live in, changing the way we live is more efficient and can help save the environment. People use perfumes and aerosols which they dispose improperly”, he said
He added that these volatile organic compounds contribute to air pollution and smog formation over Soshanguve.
CCT resident, Prisca English proposed the use of solar panels and recyclable alternatives. She supported the banning of single use plastics on campus, stating that they affect our health, she made mention of Alzheimer disease and how the microplastics found in our blood, lungs and brain tissue affects us.
“Every piece of plastic ever made still exists. It does not go away, instead it breaks down into microplastics that we now find in the blood, lungs and brain tissue, which researchers are linking to health risks including Alzheimer’s disease”, she said.
Research by the Stanford Medicine group revealed in January 2025 that humans are regularly exposed to microplastics through food, water, air and even skin contact. Microplastics are said to infiltrate the food chain through several pathways, posing a significant risk to the ecosystem and human health.
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DED debate coach, Delphina Mantsha said that it was quite challenging to get students to attend, however she is happy with the turnout and feels that they were able to educate more about environmental health.
“It was quite tricky to get the students to attend solely because of the exams, but the turnout was good. The engagement was amazing as students were able to discuss what environmental sustainability really means”, she said
According to the debate coach, attendance of the students, despite circumstances proved the importance and urgency of environmental sustainability and commanded them as being the “youth for change”.
Listen audio here: https://on.soundcloud.com/otfuEkv8LEdt8JK148
The program director, Baphelele Shabalala said that this experience helped him to see the importance of interaction, and that sharing viewpoints is essential.
“What I have learnt from today’s debate is engagement and that sharing points is important, we get to see how one problem affects different people uniquely”, he said.
DED concluded the event by awarding TCE 1 as winners of the debate since their arguments aligned more with the facts on environmental sustainability. They urged people to protect the earth for generations to come.
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