Captain Fanplastic is here to teach a new generation vital environmental literacy skills to navigate a #NoTrashButTreasue future.
South Africa (05 June 2020) – Ahoy! As World Oceans Day approaches Soapbox South Africa is delighted to announce the publication of the Legend of Captain Fanplastic that is now available on Takealot.com.
Captain Fanplastic is an environmental literacy programme (online/offline) teaching 8-12-year-olds about the impact and value of plastic. It addresses the Sustainable Development Goal via storytelling, e-learning, gamification, craft, active recycling & litter collection. They endeavour to teach a #NoTrashButTreasure mindset.
The programme was launched at the end of 2018 (October) after extensive research had been undertaken to develop a character – Captain Fantastic – that all children would respond positively to.
Addressing practical issues about what plastic pollution is and does, the storyline follows a friendly pirate who is on a quest to help his best friend, Fin the turtle, to recover from a mysterious sickness. They embark upon an ocean adventure that sees them meet an interesting seagull, a sad whale and discover things about themselves and the ocean we all need to know. Suitable for all ages but especially for 8-12-year-olds this engaging story is the first in a collection of stories aimed at addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and draws attention to goal #14, Life Below Water.

Every year 8 million metric tons of plastic ends up in our oceans due to land-based activities (only 7.1% of waste is currently recycled in South Africa). This waste conundrum is partially due to a lack of environmental awareness, service delivery and understanding of the impacts this waste has. To change the perception that it is ‘ok to litter’ vital education is needed to encourage young people to become custodians of their environment.
Captain Fanplastic is here to teach a new generation vital environmental literacy skills to navigate a #NoTrashButTreasue future.
Special World Oceans Day event: Captain Fanplastic and the Turtle Tales
If you buy the book ‘The Legend of Captain Fanplastic’ before the 7th of June on Takealot you will get a complimentary Family Access Ticket to the online event – Turtle Tales on World Ocean Day (Monday 8th June), an extra eBook and an opportunity to meet a turtle hero from the Two Oceans Aquarium too. So get your .