Mantra Tanzania rewards student winners as 2026 World Environment Day campaign concludes
Mantra Tanzania Limited has honored nine secondary school students from Namtumbo District for outstanding essays and drawings promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development, marking the conclusion of the company’s 2026 World Environment Day campaign.
The winners, drawn from Nasuli and Pamoja Secondary School, received handmade backpacks produced by artisans in Ruvuma, together with Mantra Tanzania T-shirts, caps and notebooks, during an award ceremony held on 16 July 2026 after schools reopened from the mid-year holiday.
The competitions followed environmental awareness sessions conducted by Mantra Tanzania’s Environment Department and encouraged students to explore environmental challenges affecting their communities while proposing practical conservation solutions through essays and creative artwork.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director during the awareness sessions, Engineer George Allen, Environmental specialist at Mantra Tanzania Limited, said environmental stewardship remains an integral part of the company’s operations and community engagement.
“Protecting the environment is a responsibility that extends beyond our operations. Through initiatives such as these school competitions, we encourage young people to understand the importance of conservation and to become active participants in safeguarding the natural resources on which future generations depend.”
Majani Moremi Wambura, Sustainability Manager at Mantra Tanzania Limited, said the quality of the students’ entries stood out.
“What struck me was how specific the students got — they were not just repeating slogans, they were writing about things happening in their own villages. Sourcing the bags from artisans right here in Ruvuma felt like the right way to tie the prize back to the community.”
Singano noted that the company also partners with schools on tree-planting initiatives and periodically sponsors top-performing students to visit the Mkuju River Project, where they learn about environmental management and responsible mining practices.
The essay and drawing competitions formed part of Mantra Tanzania’s activities to commemorate World Environment Day 2026, observed globally under the theme “Climate Action” and nationally under “Dira 2050: Tuwajibike Kukijanisha Tanzania.”
Community celebration in Namabengo
The school programme complemented a community celebration held on 5 June 2026 in Namabengo Village, organised jointly by Mantra Tanzania Limited and the Site Trust Foundation.
The event brought together local residents, leaders and environmental stakeholders through traditional cultural performances, environmental education activities and a public knowledge quiz designed to promote conservation awareness.
Ten community members who correctly answered environmental questions received energy-efficient gas stoves, encouraging the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies while reinforcing messages on sustainable environmental practices.
Speaking during the event, Innocent Malongo, Project Officer at the Site Trust Foundation, said environmental protection remains central to sustainable community development and praised the collaboration between the Foundation and Mantra Tanzania in promoting environmental awareness across Namtumbo District.
Mr. Whycliffer Mulinda, representing the Namtumbo District Commissioner, presented the stoves to the ten winners as guest of honor.
He thanked Mantra Tanzania and Site Trust Foundation for organizing the event and urged residents to continue protecting the environment, warning that failure to do so risks droughts, floods and other consequences.
Mulinda confirmed continued government support for stakeholder-led environmental protection efforts in the area.
The day closed with a football competition for men and women at Libobi Stadium.
Building environmental stewardship
Mantra Tanzania has organised environmental education programmes in local schools for several years, including tree-planting campaigns, awareness sessions and educational visits that provide students with first-hand exposure to the company’s environmental management practices.
Among this year’s winners were students from Nasuli Secondary School:
Valentine Medson Nyadzi — Form VI (PCB)
Oliva Ponziano Msigwa — Form VI (CBG)
Leyla Masudi Mwishehe — Form VI (HGE)
Through initiatives such as these, Mantra Tanzania continues to work with schools, local communities and development partners to promote environmental awareness, encourage youth participation in conservation and support sustainable community development across its area of operation.