In a groundbreaking approach to environmental responsibility, the University of Cape Town (UCT) has empowered its cleaning staff to become active participants in shaping campus sustainability efforts.
Moving beyond technical data analysis, the Khusela Ikamva Campus Sustainability Project—led by Dr. Michelle Pressend from the Department of Chemical Engineering—engaged cleaners to share practical insights into electricity usage in daily campus operations.
Bridging Technical Data with Lived Experience
Dr. Pressend emphasized that while technical measurements are important, frontline staff possess unique, hands-on knowledge of how energy systems are used in practice.
“This project highlights the importance of engaging with people, alongside measuring data,” Pressend said. “Electricity use is something that people experience every day through their work routines, and those experiences offer valuable insight into how energy is understood and managed.”
The initiative recognized cleaners for their essential role, noting that as staff often among the first to arrive and the last to leave, they observe patterns of energy consumption that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Empowering Staff and Building a Culture of Responsibility
The engagement created a collaborative space for dialogue, fostering a sense of ownership over UCT’s sustainability goals.
- Feeling Seen and Valued: Mildred Sineke, a cleaning supervisor, noted that inclusion in these discussions made staff feel recognized for their contribution to the university.
- Practical Insights: Long-term staff members, such as Clive van Raysen (a UCT employee for over a decade), shared observations on energy waste, such as lights, air conditioners, and computers left running long after classes end.
- Impact Beyond Campus: The research has empowered staff to transfer energy-saving knowledge from campus to their own homes, broadening the project’s positive impact.
By incorporating lived experience into technical research, UCT is building a more holistic, practical, and inclusive culture of sustainability.
