An intense environmental workshop session on nuclear energy, sea bird conservation and each individual's impact on the earth was held at the Vineyard Hotel and Spa. The Western Cape regional entrants were exposed to the problems, solutions and action plans that they would have to implement should they go through as national finalists. Elma Pollard from the Green Times also put a challenge forward to the regional entrants and spent an exciting morning filled with environmental knowledge and discussion.

Participants were also exposed to Healing Earth which is a South African produced range of body care products. The methods used are derived from research done on the ways in which the African women engaged with the natural environment; ingredients that our original ancestors used like the African potato, chamomile and grape seed to name a few. Judges who headed up the judging process included UNEP Youth Ambassador and Miss Earth educational officer, Ella Bella, Former Miss Earth Catherine Constantinides, former fashion director of GLAMOUR Magazine, Cathy Steed and Good Hope fm’s Sean O.

As part of the Western Cape regional programme participants spent a day at Kalksteenfontein Primary School where fifty indigenous trees were planted with Greenpop, a local company focused on supporting under-greened communities. Imperial Toyota Cape Gate brought through volunteers from their dealership to help dig, fertilize the soil and green the school. Western Cape Regional finalists will be actively involved in environmental projects as well as glass awareness campaigns, focussing on the health benefits of glass. Creating much needed awareness around the critically endangered African Penguin is also on the agenda.

Gauteng is the largest of the regional programmes that will take place this year with approximately 100 participants been taken through to participate in the regional rounds taking place before the end of March. An exciting few months lies ahead for the lucky few that make it through to the final rounds of this years leadership programme.