On the 4th of August, the founder of Sentinel Ocean Alliance, Frank Soloman, and marine biologist, Kholofelo Sethebe, came to our school to talk to us about the effects of plastic pollution. Frank shared a powerful video with us about how less fortunate people in Johannesburg are helping save our planet for future generations. About 90% of scrap paper and plastic in South Africa are collected by “street surfers”. These people, who have very little, are making a big difference by helping to stop marine plastic pollution. Although they are nowhere near the ocean, their actions are having a positive impact on the environment. Their positive attitude, perseverance, and resilience towards life are truly inspiring.
In an interview with Kholofelo after the presentation, she told us more about herself and how we can live more sustainably. She is from Limpopo and joined Sentinel Ocean Alliance in 2021. During this time, she has educated over 20,000 people about the importance of keeping our oceans clean. The more people that are educated on sustainability and saving our seas, the closer we are to a healthier, more eco-friendly environment. The ocean is the biggest supplier of oxygen in the world and Kholofelo says that if our oceans die, there won’t be life. Sentinel Ocean Alliance hosts beach cleanups at least once a month. Chip packets, sweet wrappers, earbuds, and Coca-Cola bottle tops are a few of the most abundant objects they find during their beach cleanups. Kholofelo encourages people to use sustainable products to lessen the amount of single-use plastics produced in the world. She continues to teach about plastic pollution and the significance of our seas, in hopes that she reaches one more person out there. I hope that you are inspired to make a change in your life to better the world.
To find out more about how you can help to save our oceans, visit:
Sentinel Ocean Alliance Website
Sentinel Ocean Alliance Instagram
Watch the inspiring video of the street surfers helping to save our planet:
Corona X Parley Street Surfers
Written by: Zoe Lau
