As winter approaches, the air around Alexandra becomes thick with smoke from the hundreds of braziers being used for warmth.
But this year could see a change in how people from this area treat their environment.
Children from the Ekukhanyisweni Primary School in Alexandra are hoping their efforts as environmental activists in their community will bear fruit.
The school has been instrumental in making residents aware of climate change and what they could do to try and stop global warming.
Last year the school was placed second nationally for its community climate change awareness programmes. Their project involved planting trees in the township, educating residents on the environmental effects of brazier fires, collecting waste that can be turned into useful objects and starting food gardens.
Learners aired their views on a local radio station, and also picketed at the local taxi rank, where they talked to people about climate change.
Says one learner, ‘Some people listened, some people chased us away — but it doesn’t matter because at least they heard us. You can see that people are starting to make an effort, although there is hardly any space for people to plant small gardens.
‘We are also hoping that this winter there won’t be so many brazier fires.”