A climate change activist from the Cape Flats is among a group of five matric learners setting off for Antarctica on an all-expenses-paid trip. The group won a competition, which saw over 3 000 thousand entries.
They were asked what they could do to save nature and the environment.
Led by pioneering explorer, Riaan Manser, and a team from Stellenbosch University, the group will spend five days on the virtually uninhabited continent.
Climate change activist, Ayakha Melithafa from Khayelitsha explains her winning entry.
“I decided to join Project 90 by 2030, which is an environmental organisation that strives for low carbon generation by 2030. From then on, it taught me more about climate change, how to actually adopt to climate change; how to mitigate and also what we can do as children to actually make people more aware of climate change. Since then, I joined the African Climate Alliance, which is a youth-led organisation that protests every term to actually raise awareness about climate change.”
Vanessa Poonah reports:
Education authorities say the excursion is a once in a lifetime development opportunity for young activists.
Western Cape MEC for Education Debbie Schafer says, “Having met with Mr Manser during the development of the trip and competition, I’m so pleased that a learner from the Western Cape will be joining him for this experience. While in Antarctica, the students will do experiments and go on an overnight adventure camp. I’ve no doubt, the five matrics will learn valuable lessons not only about Antarctica and the scientific research being undertaken there but also in personal development and character building.”
Cobus Burger from the Northern Cape, Boiketlo Lamula from Gauteng, Thea Earnest from KZN and Kelby Barker from the Eastern Cape are part of the group with pioneering explorer Riaan Manser and a team from Stellenbosch University.
Changes in weather patterns:
