UKZN’s Howard College and Medical School Campuses Crown Mr and Miss Green Campus 2025

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Student Residence Affairs hosted the inaugural Mr and Miss Green Campus competition held recently at the Howard College Student Union Hall.

The event brought together students from Howard College and Medical School residences in a vibrant celebration of environmental sustainability and creative innovation.

The Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA) developed the Mr and Miss Green Campus initiative as a flagship event within the broader Green Campus Initiative, recognising the urgent need to address global environmental challenges at an institutional level. The programme emerged from DSRA’s commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among students and promoting sustainable living practices within university residences.

Dr Siphesihle Kunene, Residence Life Officer and event co-ordinator, explained that the initiative serves multiple critical purposes. The University recognises that institutions of higher learning, which house large populations of engaged young people, have an exceptional opportunity to educate and inspire a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss require immediate action, and universities must take a leadership role in demonstrating practical solutions.

The fashion show format was deliberately chosen to make environmental awareness accessible and appealing to the diverse student population. By combining entertainment with education, DSRA demonstrated that sustainability does not mean sacrificing creativity or aesthetic appeal. Instead, the event showcased how materials typically considered waste can be transformed into beautiful, functional items through innovation and artistic vision.

The Mr and Miss Green Campus initiative was designed to achieve several key objectives that align with DSRA’s vision for creating a vibrant and sustainable living environment. The primary goal was to raise comprehensive awareness about the Green Campus Initiative and its core mandate among 400 to 500 students from the Howard College and Medical School campuses.

The event demonstrated practical applications of recycling and upcycling through creative fashion design, inspiring students to reconsider their relationship with waste.Rather than viewing discarded materials as refuse, the initiative encouraged students to recognise waste as a resource with potential for transformation.

The competition also marked the launch of UKZN’s recycling partnership with Groundwork, establishing long-term waste management practices within residences. This partnership provides infrastructure and support for students to actively participate in environmental conservation.

Beyond these immediate objectives, DSRA hopes the initiative will create a ripple effect throughout the university community. By showcasing student creativity and environmental awareness, the event aims to inspire more students to adopt sustainable practices. The department envisions the Mr and Miss Green Campus becoming an annual tradition that continuously promotes environmental innovation and engagement.

The day’s programme was structured to balance entertainment with education. Masters of Ceremonies, Mr Esese Kunene and Mr Langelihle Mchunu, guided attendees through the event, which began with opening remarks by Mr Nhlanhla Mthombeni, Head of Department for DSRA. Mthombeni emphasised the potential for the University and residence communities to turn waste into business opportunities, sustaining limited resources and supporting related research.

Ms Bongekile Hadebe, Residence Life Coordinator, expressed pride in the high level of preparedness shown by all residences and highlighted that this initiative is only the beginning, with more to follow.

Dr Princess Sibanda and Ms Asiphile Khanyile from Groundwork, along with waste pickers affiliated with the organisation, delivered a compelling keynote address. Their presentation included a skit portraying how waste pickers are treated, and the work done to protect them. Sibanda noted that waste pickers are now officially recognised as part of national sustainability efforts and expressed interest in strengthening ties with UKZN to enhance waste management.

The programme featured two competitive rounds for both Mr and Miss Green Campus categories. In the first round, contestants showcased creative wear made strictly from recyclable and reusable materials, including plastic bottles, paper, cans, cardboard, old fabrics, newspaper, tyres, bottle caps, glass, metal, and wood. The second round combined a runway presentation with a question-and-answer session, allowing contestants to articulate their understanding of sustainability issues and their vision for environmental conservation.

Judges evaluated contestants based on creativity and originality, innovation in the use of recyclable and reusable materials, overall design and presentation on stage, and relevance to the theme of sustainability. Each residence showcased two garments, with one contestant competing for Mr Green Campus and one for Miss Green Campus. The competition emphasised inclusivity, with no restrictions on body size, reflecting DSRA’s commitment to creating welcoming and diverse spaces.

Mr Green Campus 2025 was awarded to Mr Lindokuhle Joyini and Miss Green Campus 2025 was awarded to Ms Anele Sosibo.

The successful execution of the inaugural Mr and Miss Green Campus competition has laid the foundation for continued environmental engagement at UKZN. The Department of Student Residence Affairs, in partnership with Groundwork and supported by Green Champions across all Howard College and Medical School residences, remains committed to fostering sustainable living practices and environmental consciousness among students.

In his closing remarks, Kunene emphasised that the competition marks just the beginning of a broader, long-term approach to sustainability within residence life. The newly launched recycling partnership will enable students to participate in waste reduction and resource conservation throughout the academic year.

This initiative reinforces the message that environmental stewardship and creative expression can go hand in hand. Through Mr and Miss Green Campus, DSRA continues to foster vibrant, sustainable living environments where students actively contribute to environmental conservation while developing skills, building community, and celebrating innovation.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photographs: Supplied