We have all strolled along our magnificent Strand Beach and been appalled by the debris washed ashore by the sea. While detritus from the sea itself is acceptable, that of human origin is not: plastic in myriad forms, fishing equipment, apparel, wrappers – the list goes on.
On Wednesday 5 July, the University of the Third Age (U3A) Helderberg invites Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam) founder Lisa Starr as guest speaker at its monthly meet, which takes place at the Strand Town Hall at 10:00. She will address members and visitors on the work done by the movement in a talk entitled “Living for nature and ultimately you”.
Hoam was founded in 2018 and has been at the forefront of conservation and clean-up efforts in the basin ever since. Now, in 2023, members have positioned themselves as a strong force of green guardians consistently focusing their attention to Strand beach-fronts, the Lourens River, surrounding tributaries, parks, open fields and local communities.
Their efforts extend beyond clean-up operations to include educational programmes for children, partnerships with local organisations, law enforcement agencies and government departments, NPOs as well as persistent drives to create environmental awareness. Hoam have supported clean-ups hosted by others, held hands with drives for animal rescues and assisted charities along the way.
Starr will explain the importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa and how our own Helderberg MPA is used for research and conservation. She will highlight the greatest danger currently facing conservation efforts globally and what we can all do to contribute to the goal of clean oceans and a healthy planet, not only for the survival of the natural world, but for our own survival too.
Starr grew up believing that nature is the strongest force in the universe and from her childhood was entranced by and in love with it. This was reflected in activities as diverse as building a tree-house, watching British filmmaker and conservationist David Attenborough’s programmes or “nursing” a cow with a cut on its nose. Furthermore, Starr’s parents instilled an aversion to litter in her from a very young age, so she often left the areas she had visited cleaner than she had found them.
The year 2001 saw her travelling from Nairobi to Cape Town when Cupid struck and she felt it was time to ground in the Mother City, where the mountains reach the sea. This was where her heart was meant to be, especially when she found a job overlooking the Strand Jetty, from where she would watch the Pied Kingfishers darting into the ocean and the waves crashing against the window.
You will definitely want to hear this “green guardian” tell of her consuming passion for the health and well-being of the planet, and ultimately that of humankind too.
Entry for members is free; visitors pay R20 at the door. For enquiries contact Denise Fourie on 072 211 1173.
