Little Legend and 10-year-old eco-hero Kellan Wild’s path to walking with the Boks was paved by a lot of recycling, dedication and a dream for a greener future!
Paris, France (26 September 2023) — While Saturday’s match against Ireland was a call for South Africans to unite for the Springboks even more (every step of the way means the tough steps too!), for one grade four learner and little legend, it encompassed a massive individual achievement.
As South Africa stood behind the Boks, 10-year-old Kellan Wild from KwaZulu-Natal walked with them proudly.
Thanks to Kellan’s budding passion for eco-activism, the young local won his steps at the World Cup’s Stade de France—an all-expenses sorted dream for him and his mom.
This after his little green footsteps earned him a podium place in his own community—the result of his efforts to rally as many people as possible to get involved in recycling alongside him through the initiative Waste Lands, as South Coast Sun reported.
But, Kellan’s efforts were also felt in other parts of South Africa.
You might have caught glimpses of the little legend in action at this year’s Splashy Fen Festival in Underberg (where those younger than 18 are allowed, only if accompanied by an adult).
In the midst of music and joy, Kellan and a vibrant costume “can outfit” made sure that recyclables were recycled and that no can was left behind, at least not on his watch.
He has been dubbed a ‘recycling prodigy’ by the non-profit that made his Splashy Fen impact possible, ‘Team Up to Clean Up’. The NPO (who assist waste pickers) added that Kellan’s presence on their clean-up projects has been felt numerous times and that he’s been with the team even before they became ‘Team Up to Clean Up’!
These eco-conscious missions saw Kellan selected for his Rugby World Cup debut as part of the ‘Defenders of Tomorrow’ mascot programme that honours little leaders’ dedication to impacting big, positive differences, and we can’t wait to see the eco-hero Kellan continues to grow into.
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