About 70 children from a Bloekombos High School visited the Two Oceans Aquarium and watched the blockbuster, Aquaman, at the V&A Waterfront last week, as thanks for their hard work in a plastic clean-up project.
The Masibambane High School pupils had collected more than 100 bags of plastic in their informal settlement communities as part of a project run by a non-profit, Save Our Schools, in December.
The non-profit, in turn, treated the pupils to the fun-filled excursion.
Most of the pupils live in shacks, and some weren’t even aware that Cape Town had an aquarium. Others had never seen a movie on the big screen.
With a look of delight on their faces, they walked through the aquarium and loudly showed one another the large sea animals in the tanks.
Xola Sdina said it was his first time at the Two Oceans Aquarium and he had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The best part of my day was being educated about sea life and how plastic has a negative effect on the sea animals.
“During the clean-up project, I have learned that it takes as little as one piece of plastic to harm our animals on land and in the sea.”
He said he would like to encourage people to start recycling “as in yesterday” and to refrain from using plastic bags and straws.
Catherine Tommy said people should get into the habit of recycling and should pass it on to others.
“Polluting our oceans and our streets has become a serious issue. Our animals get stuck in the plastic or choke on it.”
She said she and some friends would continue with the clean-up project at the school.