Image related to website content

A collective effort for a cleaner coast

25 Sep 2024

Recent research highlights the significant impact of waste on the Western Cape coastline, with pollution affecting popular beaches and marine ecosystems. Reports indicate that several beaches along the 307 km coastline, including Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, have consistently failed to meet minimum water quality guidelines. This pollution harms local wildlife and threatens the health and safety of residents and tourists. Efforts to manage waste effectively are crucial to preserving the region's environmental integrity.

One of these efforts comes from a group of learners from local communities and environmental agencies, who committed to doing a beach clean-up on 14 September at the Monwabisi beach. The learners were made more aware of the impact of waste on our marine life. This joint effort highlights the importance of partnerships, and the impact made in addressing the challenge of waste on our coastline.

The beach clean-up program included various activities to ensure that the message of protecting and conserving our marine environment is effectively and clearly communicated. First, a clear outline of the program was provided. This was followed by a fun and informative icebreaker activity called the human web, which highlights the importance of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of working together as a team to address challenges. Third, the concept of waste and its impact on our coastal ecosystems was introduced to ensure that the learners understood how humans impact our ecosystem.

Keeping youngsters actively involved requires experiential learning, which includes the beach clean-up. Before the beach clean-up, all the safety rules were explained to the learners, as safety is paramount to all involved. The kids immersed themselves during the clean-up and had a tremendous amount of fun while doing their part for the environment. Following the clean-up, learners had to analyse what types of waste they collected by doing a mini waste audit. The purpose of the audit was to reinforce the impact that waste has on the marine environment and the responsibility to take care of it.

Learners were also rewarded with prizes and gifts to express appreciation for their willingness and commitment in making a difference.

A word of thanks was also presented by all the environmental agencies that were involved, which included CapeNature, Shark Spotters, Two Oceans Aquarium, the Western Cape Department for Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Mosselbank River Conservation Team, and City of Cape Town.

Together we can do more!

Image related to website content
Share:

Related News

Conservation Review 2025 Group Image
27 Jun 2025
2025 Conservation Review Highlights Biodiversity

CapeNature showcased its significant achievements in conservation operations and exceptional biodiversity protection over the past year.

The central message throughout the event and central to the theme was an emphasis on the successful partnerships the Entity has cultivated with stakeholders. Many of these partners were also in attendance, showcasing delivery on collaborative projects. The Entity relies on the productive co-operation of many partners to successfully execute its mandate in the Western Cape.

De Hoop Nature Reserve Bontebok
26 Jun 2025
State of Conservation 2025: Progress & Priorities

CapeNature launched the 2025 State of Conservation Report this morning at its annual Conservation Review, offering a clear, evidence-based view of the Western Cape’s biodiversity and how conservation efforts are measuring up.

Key themes emerging from the report include sustained efforts to build biodiversity resilience in the face of climate change, the value of strategic partnerships, and the growing integration of monitoring data into planning and policy.

20160529 072239 W12 1921
19 Jun 2025
Haarwegskloof Declared Nature Reserve

In a major victory for biodiversity conservation, Haarwegskloof, which includes the largest remaining connected stretch of renosterveld left on Earth has officially been declared a provincial nature reserve.

The reserve is owned by WWF South Africa and managed by the Overberg Renosterveld Trust (ORT), a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and restoring the fragile renosterveld ecosystem that once covered large parts of the Overberg.

Social Media Image cropped
18 Dec 2024
Forge’s top five family-friendly hikes to do this festive season

It’s the festive season, baby! And for many families across South Africa, that means packing the boogie boards and hiking boots and heading out of town. CapeNature reserves are naturally a first choice for family vacations over the festive season, and we want to help you get the most out of your next trip.

PHOTO 2024 11 27 09 20 21
9 Dec 2024
Western Cape Standing Committee visits Stony Point

Last month, the Western Cape Parliament Standing Committee on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning visited the Stony Point African Penguin colony. Presentations were given by CapeNature colleagues on the history of the site, penguin population trends, challenges and colony management, and socio-economic benefits of Stony Point and the associated On the Edge Restaurant respectively.