For 19 years, one hour has changed the world. What began as a single lights-off moment in Sydney in 2007 has become the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement.
In 2025 alone, participants across 118 countries dedicated more than three million hours to the planet.
Now, in March 2026, Earth Hour arrives in two of South Africa’s natural spaces. In partnership with Nedbank Limited and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), WWF South Africa will screen The Lorax, Dr Seuss’ beloved story about standing up for nature, under the open sky at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town on Saturday, 21 March and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg on Saturday, 28 March.
As part of its sponsorship, Nedbank will also run a World Recycling Day activation at both events. Guests are invited to play their part by bringing bottle caps and dropping them at the collection bins on site. The initiative links everyday action to longer-term environmental outcomes.
There will be no sign-ups, no pledges to make, and no tracking, just people coming together for the Earth.
For Pedzi Gozo, Head of Strategic Communications at WWF South Africa, joy and purpose have always belonged together. “This year, we wanted to create an experience that feels joyful and accessible, something South Africans would genuinely want to be part of. As The Lorax reminds us: ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.'”
The premise of Earth Hour has always been simple: show up, spend an hour, and be part of something bigger than yourself.
Mokgadi Maloba, Lead of Operational Sustainability at Nedbank, shares that the sponsorship reflects a commitment to practical action. “Earth Hour brings people together around shared responsibility. Our support, including the bottle cap collection linked to wheelchairs and mobility, shows how simple actions lead to real outcomes. Nedbank continues to sponsor this event because environmental care and social inclusion belong together.”
As one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world, home to over 20 000 plant species and the Cape Floristic Region, the only floral kingdom found entirely within a single country, South Africa needs no convincing of what is at stake.
Nontsikelelo Mpulo, Director of Marketing Communications and Commercialisation at SANBI, says these events reflect that responsibility. “These gardens are living showcases of South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity, and there is no better setting to celebrate our natural world and reflect on our shared responsibility to protect it.”
Johannesburg event details:
Date: Saturday, 28 March 2026
Venue: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Johannesburg
Time: Gates open 4pm | Film starts after 6pm
Tickets: R100 (adults) | R50 (under 18)
Book at http://www.webtickets.co.za/https://www.webticket.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1589327230
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at both venues. Bring a blanket; backrests are available for hire. Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly. Johannesburg guests will also have access to an activity area on the night, hosted by the Pretoria Zoo Club.
Can’t make it to a screening? Earth Hour belongs to everyone. Explore a local green space, plant something, cook a meal from your garden, or simply switch off for an hour and step outside. However you spend it, you are part of the Biggest Hour for Earth.
Go to https://explore.wwf.org.za/earth-hour-2026 for more information.
