As the world prepares to mark Earth Day, Seriti Institute, in partnership with Breathe Cities, the City of Johannesburg, and 33 community-based organisations, will commemorate the day by leading environmental awareness and action activities across schools in the City of Johannesburg, covering Regions A to G, as part of the Breathe Better Together project.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” the initiative brings together communities and schools to raise awareness on air quality and promote simple, practical environmental actions.
The programme will take place across multiple schools, reaching learners directly within their everyday learning environments. Scheduled to run for approximately two hours during the school day, it is designed to create opportunities for learners to engage in hands-on environmental activities that promote clean air.
These will include tree planting to support greener communities, recycling demonstrations that encourage improved waste management practices, and school-based awareness sessions on air pollution and its impact on health and communities.
In Johannesburg, where communities are increasingly affected by air pollution and environmental pressures, initiatives like these play a critical role in building awareness from an early age allowing learners to actively participate in protecting the environment.
“We see the impact of environmental challenges such as poor air quality most clearly at community level,” says Nokuthula Dubazane, representative from Breathe Cities. “Working alongside organisations like Seriti Institute and local partners allows us to support solutions that are practical, relevant, and driven by communities.”
“This Earth Day is about giving young people (the leaders of tomorrow) the agency to act about environmental issues that they see on a daily basis,” says Harmony Khoza, Community Response Manager at Seriti Institute. “By working with schools and community-based organisations, we are encouraging young people to take part in meaningful actions that contribute to cleaner and healthier environments where they live.”
This initiative builds on the growing momentum of community-led air quality awareness efforts driven through the Breathe Better Together project, where over 60 awareness and clean-up campaigns have already been implemented across Johannesburg. These initiatives have focused on air pollution, waste management, and environmental health, reflecting the lived realities of communities across the city.
Participating schools include Thabo Secondary School in Naledi, Emadlelweni Primary School in Dlamini, Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, Leap Science and Maths School in Diepsloot, Noordgesig Secondary School, and several others across the city.
This Earth Day reminds us to take ownership in building a more resilient environment, led by our youth, reaping benefits of clean air for our communities.
Media Invitation
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Earth Day activities taking place across the City of Johannesburg on 22 April 2026, with key activations in areas including Soweto, Alexandra, and Diepsloot.
Media interested in attending a specific site are encouraged to confirm in advance to receive further details, including venue information, timing, and access coordination.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Getrude Mamabolo
Email: getrude@seriti.org.za
Contact: 076 202 8133 | 011 262 7700
