The Robben Island Museum authorities say keeping a clean and safe environment is one of world heritage site’s priorities, but doing so in the name of Madiba is a bonus.
The British High Commission in South Africa has brought sixty learners from various schools in Cape Town to the Island as part of their contribution to Mandela Day activities in South Africa.
The late President would have been 100 years old this Wednesday.
The learners who are referred to as ecowarriors were asked to dirty their hands and were given waste bags to help clean up litter.
Knowing they are doing it to honour the memory of Madiba, they were too happy to oblige.
Robben Island spokesperson Morongoa Ramaboa says the learners understand the importance of a clean and healthy environment.
“The British High Commissioner and the youth of Western Cape take ecosystem very serious. We are very proud that these young ecowarriors are here to help us clean our shores. The Robben Island is also an important habitat for a wide range of many indigenous seabirds. So by picking up the litter that is washed out to this shoreline, we are also protecting the sea birds and many other species that live on the island.”
The learners also got an opportunity to learn about the island’s history. Some of them had this to say…
“Today was being nice for me communicating with each other this is the first time I see such a mess on the beach we must keep our beaches clean for the animals in the sea.”
The British High Commissioner to South Africa, Nigel Casey says hosting the sixty learners as part of the Centenary celebration of the birth of Nelson Mandela is part of giving back to the late statesman and world icon.
“We are doing two things today first we are bringing a bunch of kids who have never been to Robben Island to the island to learn about Madiba’s legacy his life his struggles but also we are raising awareness of the kids about the issue of ocean pollution so we will be doing a beach clean up removing plastic from the island for recycling.”
Former US President Barack Obama is expected to give a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture in Johannesburg on Tuesday as part of the Madiba centenary celebrations.
