Afristar's Nicholas Heinamann currently acts as Programme Manager for the Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre (WSEC) in Mamelodi township.  He has been involved in WSEC since its inception, having been responsible for the design, development and outreach of the Centre since 2001. 

WSEC is a partnership project sponsored by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the Jewish National Fund (JNF), managed by Afristar in collaboration with community partners.  WSEC serves learners and educators from 72 Mamelodi Schools and 186 schools in the Southern Tshwane Educational District, receiving over 5,000 student visitors per year.  The Centre's interactive classrooms, appropriate technology displays and permaculture demonstration garden provide resources and activities for educators to integrate environment and sustainable living skills into the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) curriculum, assisting educators to develop activities and lesson plans in relevant areas. 

The Centre's primary function is to train educators, create environmental awareness for learners, initiate environmental programmes in local communities, and create job opportunities for Mamelodi youth to facilitate the environmental programmes. 

Our mission with WSEC is to create a culture of community conservation in Mamelodi and Southern Tshwane, hoping that by developing environmental awareness among the youth of these communities, they will be inspired and motivated to preserve their natural heritage, and will move into the future with mind well-grounded in ecological preservation, ready to lead their generation in the creation of a sustainable future for South Africa.