On Saturday, 14 March 2026, the Diocese of Mthatha Mothers’ Union Eco-Champions held their first workshop at St Bede’s Diocesan Centre in Mthatha, with 20 Archdeaconries in attandance. The workshop focused on climate change under the theme “Birth of the New Creation.”
Following a presentation by the Diocesan Eco-Champion, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on how communities can work together to respond to the climate crisis. The workshop explored several practical areas of action, including tree planting, strengthening home and community food gardens, water conservation, waste management, and energy saving.
During the session, Eco-Champions also shared presentations outlining a way forward for engaging other stakeholders and promoting practical environmental action within their communities. As part of their commitment for 2026, participants pledged to plant more than 500 trees at homes, schools, churches, parks, and clinics across the diocese.
As part of their mission to young people, the mothers have committed to partnering with local schools within the Diocese by establishing school eco-clubs.
The workshop also produced a powerful slogan: “Zero tolerance to dripping water: Asihleki,” encouraging communities to take water conservation seriously.
To conclude the workshop, Mothers’ Union Eco-Champions planted a tree as a symbol of the day and of their commitment to nurture and protect creation, described as a “new baby” entrusted to their care. Flowers were also planted to beautify the Mothers’ Union house.
All attendees received vegetable garden seedling packs to take home and begin their own gardens using the SMART home garden method introduced during the workshop.
The Diocesan Mothers’ Union team expressed gratitude to the Provincial Green Anglicans team for their support, noting that the workshop was a great success and a long-awaited opportunity for the Eco-Champions to gather, learn, and strengthen their mission of caring for God’s creation.
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