Provincial Cleanest School Awards held in Pilgrims Rest

By: De-Shark

The Pilgrim’s Rest Agricultural Environmental Centre, in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, became a centre of pride and celebration as Mpumalanga honoured its cleanest schools against the backdrop of World Cleanup Day.

In a ceremony hosted on Tuesday 22 September 2026, the Mpumalanga Department of Education, in collaboration with DARDLEA (Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs), hosted the 2026 Provincial Cleanest School Awards Ceremony, the culmination of the Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign. The campaign is said to be a provincial initiative that continues to inspire schools, learners, educators, parents and communities to create learning and teaching environments that are clean, safe, caring and conducive to excellence.

It was Sukumani Primary School from Nkangala District that scooped the top honour, following an inspiring display of commitment to cleanliness, environmental responsibility and the creation of a healthy, conducive learning environment.

"More than a celebration of spotless school grounds, the awards recognise schools that are nurturing a culture of responsibility, environmental stewardship and active citizenship. These are schools where gardens bloom alongside young dreams, where respect for nature is taught with purpose, where discipline and positive values are embraced and where every stakeholder works together to build centres of learning that uplift communities and inspire hope" said the Department of Education.

According to the Department, the awards affirm a simple yet powerful truth that learners thrive when a school is cared for. “Clean and well-maintained schools foster dignity, wellbeing, academic achievement and pride, while planting the seeds of sustainability and climate consciousness in the leaders of tomorrow,” said the Department.

This achievement is said to belong to the entire school community and serves as a reminder that schools become centres of excellence, dignity and environmental stewardship, when learners, educators, parents, communities and government work together. "Congratulations, Sukumani Primary School! You have made Mpumalanga proud. Keep shining, keep inspiring and keep leading by example! Clean schools. Proud communities. Better learning environments,” said the Department. 

 As the 2026 Provincial Cleanest School, Sukumani Primary School walked away with prize money of R100 000, which will further support initiatives aimed at improving the school environment.