The World Rowing Masters (the first world rowing event on African water!) haven’t even started yet and Tshwane has already secured a win thanks to eco-volunteers.
Tshwane, South Africa (13 September 2023) — The City of Tshwane is buzzing with excitement as it gears up to host the World Rowing Masters Regatta, where Roodeplaat Dam will meet rowers from the world’s most competitive waters.
However, Roodeplaat Dam needed a little TLC for the big showcase, and community members responded to the call; litter bags at the ready to ensure no unfavourable spectators (waste) was left behind.
Some 80 AZEZ members (an international youth service organisation) who are part of the Blue Carbon Movement and neighbours from Pretoria and Johannesburg all gathered to beautify Roodeplaat Dam not just for the visitors of the world, but for the locals and marine ecosystem the organisation often dedicates its time to.
Together, they spent hours removing nitty gritty litter nonsense and filled 1000 garbage bags to the pleasure of local residents and fishermen.
Director of Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Lutske Newton, who visited the site, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers:
“There has never been a time that ASEZ has not supported the City in the most wonderful ways and we truly are appreciative of your willingness to donate your time and it really gives us hope that the youth of this country care deeply about our environment.”
World Rowing Masters Regatta 2023 venue service leader, James Thompson also expressed his gratitude, thankful that volunteers took the time to do something awesome that means the most to locals.
As for the World Rowing Masters set to take place from 21 to 24 September, this will mark the first-ever World Rowing event on African water, adding to a tall list of international hosting experiences South Africa has (and will) enjoy this year from the Netball World Cup to the upcoming Down Syndrome International Gymnastics World Champs.
About the Blue Carbon Movement:
This is an environmental movement that promotes the importance of blue carbon to the world and carries out marine ecosystem cleanup activities to achieve carbon neutrality. ‘Blue carbon’ refers to carbon dioxide absorbed by marine ecosystems such as salt marshes and mangrove forests, and is an important key to carbon neutrality as marine ecosystems are believed to absorb greenhouse gases up to 50 times faster than terrestrial ecosystems.
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