WATCH: Queensburgh Miss Earth SA hopeful: “We need to protect the only home we have”

Driven by her passion to save the world and make an invaluable difference as an environmental ambassador, Sine Shabalala sat down with the Queensburgh News last week to chat about legal implications for those who litter, her goals and her journey thus far.

Sine, who grew up in Queensburgh and is a Queensburgh Girls’ High Old Girl, class of 2016, said she decided to make it her life’s mission to save the world by competing in Miss Earth SA.

She said she prefers participating in Miss Earth SA rather than competing in other pageants she might have been more accustomed to with her background in modelling and current work in marketing and brand awareness.

ALSO READ: Go green and support these recycling spots near you

Q. What inspired you to enter this competition? 
A. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when I entered as this isn’t your typical “beauty pageant”, it’s a leadership programme that requires a lot of hard work and getting your hands dirty in pursuit of becoming an environmental ambassador. I wanted to be challenged.

I wanted to be pushed outside my comfort zone knowing very well that after this journey (whether I win or not) I’ll be a better version of myself.

Q. Who is your current Earth hero?
A.  Greta Thunberg, she’s a 16-year-old climate change activist and she’s been protesting about the need for climate change action. She shook the world with her boldness and braveness and she has really inspired me to make my voice heard.

ALSO READ: What to do with recycled items

Q. How does your family feel about your campaign to become Miss Earth SA?
A.  One thing I’ll always be grateful for is their support in everything that I do . They are behind me all the way!

Q.  What do you think needs to be done about the education we offer young people and how can we increase their responsibility in taking care of the planet we live on?
A.  I’m glad the Department of Environmental Affairs is hard at work, spreading the green message to our young ones in schools. Education on the 4 Rs should begin right from foundation phase so it becomes second nature by the time our kids become adults.

Q. There are some who feel the Earth is doomed, and the only answer for the future is the colonisation of other planets. What would you say to someone who tried to argue with you about your quest to save planet Earth?
A. Our planet is our home. We should be taking care of it, but we aren’t. If we can’t take care of our current planet how are we going to take care of a new planet? I think that question alone will provoke their thoughts.

Q.  Do you think there need to be fines or legal implications for petty crimes relating to littering like there are in some countries, or do you think that would just serve to criminalise large sectors of the population unnecessarily?
A.  Right now we are facing the consequences of this irresponsible behaviour. We think it’s petty’ but it really isn’t. Judging by the level of urgency to rectify our mistake of damaging our environment, we might have to resort to that sort of punishment eventually.

ALSO READ: Durbanites turn Kloof recycling depot into a dump

Q. What is your greatest reward for taking care of the planet and participating in this competition?
A.  I’m doing this for not only for the environment but for humanity. We are more dependant on the Earth than we realise. Knowing that I’ve contributed to the betterment of our planet and humanity as a whole is the best feeling.

Q. What is the one thing you would tell your future self if you were able to write her a letter?
A.  To my future self: “You have made me so proud. You have accomplished everything you set out to do when you were younger and have left a legacy that is known for its efforts that changed peoples lives.

Q.  If it were possible to go back in time and speak to your younger self, what is the message you would hope to leave her with?
A.  One thing I would say to my younger self is to put God first. In this world, it’s so easy to lose sight of who you truly are trying to fit in to the patterns of this world.

Don’t measure your value according to what the world thinks of you, measure your value according to what God thinks of you.

Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.