Learners find beach clean-up rewarding
Some of the learners said it was sad to learn about the effects of plastic pollution but rewarding to play a role in combating it.
CLEAN Surf Project (CSP) and 107 Grade Seven learners from Bryneven Primary School, as well as Outdoor Environmental Education Africa, recently embarked on a clean sweep at Karridene Beach.
CSP’s Romy Wenzel said the clean-up south of Msimbazi Lagoon saw a whopping 27 bags collected in less than 60 minutes.
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“Thank you to all the learners and teachers who participated; it was a job very well done. Kudos to the Illovo Beach monitors for ensuring the group’s safety while active on the beach,” she said.
The day ended with an educational presentation highlighting marine plastic pollution and, in particular, about how microplastics cause major harm to marine life and birdlife.
Reflecting on the experience, Mmasechaba Sakong said it was fun and fulfilling to help keep the beach clean.
Tshepang Khoetha added that cleaning up was rewarding as it allowed them to do something good for the environment.
Lwazi Tshabalala said that learning about the dangers of plastic made her sad.
“Cleaning up was kind of fun but disgusting to see what was on the beach. I felt that doing my part was very rewarding,” she said.
This clean-up is part of an annual educational tour the school arranges for its Grade Seven learners. In addition to the clean-up, the tour included a variety of activities, such as boat rides, crab hunts and visits to the Umgeni River Bird Park, KZN Sharks Board, Crocworld Conservation Centre, uShaka Marine World and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
For more information, to donate or to arrange a clean-up, contact Clean Surf Project at 082 802 3353 / 083 733 6468 or at cleansurfproject@gmail.com
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