Umlibo is an exquisite artwork which tells the story of climate impacts on a small coastal community, and the sustainable forms of livelihood that are building resilience in that same community. The colourful embroidery began its life in the tiny rural village of Hamburg in the Eastern Cape, and then received high praise at its unveiling in the centre of Cape Town before being displayed at the South African pavilion at the international climate meeting, COP28, in Dubai in December 2023.

The 43 artists who created the artwork shared their own personal stories which now form a rich text in the form of a booklet which also includes a collection of photographs of their lives and the artwork itself.

To give high school learners a chance to use the tapestry as a learning platform for climate change, WWF has created a set of four lesson plans which are free to download and which can be used in the classroom along with the booklet itself. The booklet is available in hard copy from WWF’s offices in Newslands, Cape Town, or can be downloaded free of charge.

The lesson plans can be downloaded and printed for free, or simply downloaded and used in their digital format by high school teachers or anyone training youth on the topics of climate, environment and sustainable livelihoods.

Download teaching materials here:
Umlibo booklet
Umlibo lesson plans: a resource for teachers and trainers