MORE than 300 learners from schools across the south of Durban attended the World Oceans Day event in Durban recently.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the oceans and the broader environment, with presentations, performances, and educational discussions.

Oil and gas and livelihoods project officer from South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), Nomfundo Ntshangase, led the workshop and was part of SDCEA’s continued mission to engage and educate the next generation of environmental stewards.

Ntshangase said, “The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans and the broader environment, with engaging presentations, performances, and educational discussions.”

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The event featured speakers from SDCEA, as well as partner organisations, who highlighted critical environmental challenges and the urgent need for collective action.

Azile Mpukwama from Adopt a River spoke about water quality issues and showcased initiatives that are being implemented to address them.

These initiatives include:

• The distribution of water testing kits to local communities,
• The removal of alien invasive species from river systems to help protect our waterways and oceans.

John Peter Narayanasamy of the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fishers Forum (KZNSFF) emphasised the crucial role oceans play in the lives of small-scale fishers.

He called for sustainable fishing practices and criticised large commercial fishing operations for destructive offshore netting that results in high levels of by-catch, often fatal to many marine species.

He also raised concern over the threat that oil and gas exploration poses to the livelihoods of fishing communities.

The learners actively participated in various programmes such as:

• Sharing poems,
• Songs, and speeches focused on the value of our oceans.

Their presentations covered a wide range of topics, including the ocean’s role in:

• Providing oxygen, food, tourism opportunities,
• The ocean’s significance in religious and cultural practices.

They also called for stronger conservation efforts, better enforcement of environmental by-laws, and improved waste management policies by local government.

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More importantly, the learners linked the health of our oceans to climate change, discussing how ocean acidification and rising sea levels are weakening the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

They expressed their strong commitment to being part of the solution by reducing waste and participating in clean-up efforts to build a healthier, more sustainable environment.

SDCEA co-ordinator Desmond D’Sa provided an overview of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to work with schools on environmental education.

He emphasised the importance of empowering young people with knowledge and tools to tackle the pressing environmental challenges facing our communities.

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