#TheOceanStartsHere
Photo Credit: Captain Fanplastic

X marks the spot, and September marks the start of #TheOceanStartsHere Month by Captain Fanplastic—an initiative set to brim with eco-competitions, pirate costumes and a river cleanup fundraiser like no other!

 

Cape Town, South Africa (29 August 2024) — Captain Fanplastic—South Africa’s favourite eco-hero who fights environmental villains with educational superpowers—is preparing for a big mission in September as #TheOceanStartsHere Month Initiative approaches!

#TheOceanStartsHere is a month-long national initiative dedicated to promoting a series of highlights on environmental activists’ calendars: World Cleanup Day, International Coastal Cleanup Day and Cleanup & Recycle Week in South Africa. Here, the mission is to emphasise the vital connection between communities and the oceans, as well as the actions like marine pollution that stand as a national nemesis.

Combatting marine pollution to protect marine life and ecosystems that, spoiler alert, we’re all connected to, is becoming more and more urgent. Recent research from the University of Cape Town has highlighted that marine pollution needs to be stopped at the source; revealing that most plastic litter from the Cape Flats river washes ashore close to river mouths. As such, keeping communities clean isn’t just essential for the livelihood of people, but extends beyond what the eye can see (hence the name of the initiative; the ocean starts here, with us).

#TheOceanStartsHere Month is all about encouraging people to step into their power and mobilise collective actions. It’ll lay out a host of activities, a competition and educational sessions for communities around rivers that lead to our precious ocean.

“Our oceans are intricately connected to our daily lives, and it’s crucial for us to act now to protect them, by preventing pollution from reaching this integral source of life,” said Yanga Gceya, Partnership Manager at Captain Fanplastic. “Through #TheOceanStartsHere Month, we hope to inspire individuals and communities to take tangible steps toward reducing pollution and fostering a sustainable future.”

On 21 September, a big river cleanup will be taking place at the Lisbeek River from 9:30 am. Here, the Captain Fanplastic team are rallying to raise R200,000 to reach schools, with all volunteers invited to dress as pirates in honour of Captain Fanplastic (and stand a chance to win a best-dressed prize).

The fundraising initiative for schools will equip young South Africans with Captain Fanplastic DIY boxes that will help them conduct their own cleanups and learn about sustainable practices.

Additionally, The #OceanStartsHere Online Challenge welcomes everyone to share photos of their cleanup efforts and tag Captain Fanplastic for a chance to win a kayak adventure, SANCCOB penguin entry and more.

You can book your spot and be part of the change-making here.


Sources: Supplied 
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue. As a journalist, her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women, social upliftment movers, sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold. When she's not working on a story, she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *