21-year-old Zoë Prinsloo is the founder of Save a Fishie, an environmental organisation focused on beach clean-ups and campaigns that safeguard the environment for future generations.
Recently, she led a dedicated team of volunteers on an ambitious mission to clean 100 beaches across the country in just 60 days.
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According to People’s Post, Prinsloo’s passion for the environment began at the age of ten when she joined the Girl Guides, a female volunteer organisation. It was during one of their beach clean-ups that she became acutely aware of the vast amount of litter on the shorelines and felt a desire to make a difference.
She took the initiative to conduct her own beach clean-ups, and in 2016, while participating in a beach clean-up, she rescued a fish trapped in a plastic bag.
‘The reason for my organisation being called Save a Fishie is that years ago I was cleaning the beach and pulled out a plastic bag from amongst the rocks,’ she explained. ‘The bag was full of water, and when I picked it up, it started moving. I naturally immediately poured out the water, and a little fish swam out. That was an incredibly moving moment for me.’
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Prinsloo founded Save a Fishie to reflect her belief that every little action we take contributes to saving marine life.
Prinsloo acknowledged that her work can be a demanding and often thankless task, as beaches can become littered again even after thorough clean-ups. However, she remains steadfast in her belief that every piece of plastic removed from the beaches makes a meaningful impact and prevents potential harm to marine life.
She draws motivation from other environmental activists, such as the Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who inspires her determination. Prinsloo believes in the power of one’s dream and their commitment to a cause, regardless of age or the support they receive from others.
‘I’ve had a lot of hurdles that I’ve had to overcome, and people didn’t believe in what I was doing. But sticking by it, it just shows what your morals are and that you’re serious. Find your passion and stick to it.’
Recently, Prinsloo and her team successfully completed their #Coast2CoastwithSaveaFishie campaign, collecting almost three tonnes of litter from 111 beaches during their 71-day journey covering nearly 8 000km.
She acknowledged that improving human behaviour is crucial to combatting beach litter, particularly issues related to public drinking that contribute to the problem.
‘On our side of Cape Town, public drinking is a huge issue; it is also affecting the litter that’s washing up on the beaches. That has been a huge problem, and we have found so many bottles on the beach. With every piece we’re picking up, we’re saving a fish. No matter how small the task may seem, Just keep at it. Every little piece does make a difference,’ she said.
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As she looks to the future, Prinsloo aims to expand her efforts beyond South Africa and inspire people worldwide to join the cause. She envisions greater involvement with schools, recognising the intelligence of young minds and their potential to drive positive change within their communities.
‘Now I just want to go bigger and further. I would love to spread it beyond South Africa and try to encourage other people. I would love to get more involved with schools. Kids are so smart; they know more than we think they know, and I think it is important to reach out to them so that they can spread it in their communities.’
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Picture: Save A Fishie / Facebook