ALLEGRA du Randt, a Thomas More College learner, had a once in a lifetime, paradigm-shifting experience during an expedition to the Antarctica in early December.

Allegra was one of five Grade 11 learners from across Africa who was selected by Students in Antarctica (SIA), which was founded by renowned explorer Riaan Manser.

She said she had to undergo “a rigorous” selection process, which involved submitting a video and being interviewed by a team of experts from SIA.

“The panel emphasised that those selected would be required to give back by doing community outreach and education after their life-altering experience. Each student selected shared a love for the environment, curiosity in the sciences and had the ability to lead and communicate their experiences to inspire and effect change. As individuals, we each brought a unique set of skills to the expedition. As an artist I believe I brought a fresh approach which emphasised the need to connect people to the intended message by emotion and visual storytelling,” said Allegra.

The expedition is educational in nature and is meant to expose future leaders to various challenges so they can develop an understanding of how the fragile environment at the Antarctica is connected to the survival of people on the planet.

“By exposing us to this unique experience the hope is that we can return into the wider community and share our experiences with others to motivate and inspire change,” said Allegra.

The five students were flown to Cape Town on December 8, where they were welcomed by Manser and then went through an orientation.

“The next three days saw us undergo a critical health and safety briefing and in preparation for the sub-zero temperatures we were kitted out with the appropriate clothing, which was sponsored by Columbia clothing and Ultima. We further underwent workshops that provided us with the skills to document our expedition, with vlogging equipment sponsored by Canon, and we took part in an interactive robotics workshop,” said Allegra.

Allegra said the highlight of her trip was meeting Cape Town Mayor Geordan Hill-Lewis.

The meet and greet with the mayor was followed by a visit to a landfill site in Cape Town, “which helped me grasp the full impact of plastic and waste in the greater environment”.

Also read: Thomas More matriculant motivates class of ‘26

Throughout the experience, Allegra and her peers participated in a mini-documentary.

On December 11, Allegra and the other four learners headed off to Antarctica, flying in an Iluysion 76 TD-90 Cargo plane, “which was like nothing I have ever seen or experienced before”.

After six hours, the expedition landed on the sub-zero continent of Antarctica where they participated in courts facilitated by experienced environmental law experts.

“We had to argue our cases for and against many controversial issues which forced me to think deeply about what I really believe.

“We had the chance to explore a deep ice cave which I can only describe as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking experiences of my life.

“We were tasked to do a half-marathon and this really brought the team of students together to support and encourage each other and ended in freezing and windy blizzard-like conditions, proving to me that I could accomplish so much more than I ever thought I was capable of.

“We had a lot of lighter, fun moments doing an ice challenge, plunging from a sauna to an ice bath, which is the most southern in the world, and unbelievable hiking and sleeping overnight outside just in our sleeping bags. The sun of course doesn’t set, which is quite disorientating but also ensured we packed activities into the time we were there with very little sleep.

“I was asked to paint a mural on the container that is used as a bathroom at the Research Station. It got off to a rocky start when my paints exploded on the plane. Notwithstanding I was determined to leave my mark as one of the few people privileged enough to go on land in Antarctica. With our crazy schedule I eventually woke on the last day at 04:00 determined to finish the mural. The weather conditions meant all the paints were frozen and even as I painted the water-based paint froze. I fortunately had a few small tubes which I managed to use to do the Emperor Penguin mural which is now a feature at the research camp. This formed the inspiration for my NGO Drawn Together,” said Allegra.

About her NGO, ‘Drawn Together – Murals That Belong To Everyone. Walls that speak. Murals that transform more than just walls’, Allegra said this is a non-profit initiative which aims to add “beauty to spaces that need it the most”.

“Drawn Together empowers young creatives to collaborate with communities to transform neglected spaces through meaningful murals that foster pride, dialogue, and belonging. I want to draw together those with the skills and energy to do this. Sponsorships for paint, brushes and art supplies would be really helpful and all young artists are encouraged to make contact. We will take on projects for those spaces that are in desperate need of a beautiful mural – and can include skills transfer to other young artists. Some of the areas I have worked on have included schools, and a frail care facility but we are just getting started. The formal launch will be in February and I am excited to also invite local schools to be in touch where I will be doing presentations on my experiences as well as looking to network to find worthy spaces for the Drawn Together artists to tackle. DM allegra_does_art on Instagram with any questions.”

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