At only 21 years old Zoë Prinsloo has already ticked off a major goal on her bucket list and did her bit to save the environment while at it.
Prinsloo, the founder of Save a Fishie, an environmental organisation focussed on beach clean-ups and environmental campaigns, says she is on a mission to preserve the environment for future generations.
Prinsloo recently led a small team of volunteers as they embarked on a journey to clean 100 beaches across the country in 60 days.
The Richwood resident says her passion for the environment started at the age of 10 years.
“I joined Girl Guides (a female volunteer organisation) when I was 10 years old. Through them I did my first beach clean-up. So, being so young it was confusing as to why there is so much litter on the beach and there is not much you can do being so young.
I found out about beach clean-ups, and I found that that was something that I could do to make a difference. From there I started running my own beach clean-ups.”
She explains that she started the organisation in 2016.
“The reason for my organisation being called Save a Fishie is years ago I was cleaning the beach and pulled out a plastic bag from amongst the rocks. 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.
“The thought that if I hadn’t picked up that piece of plastic that little fishie would have died because of something us as humans had done. And to know that every little thing we do does in fact “Save a Fishie” somewhere down the line.”
Prinsloo says although it’s a “thankless job” she believes she’s making a difference.
“It is a bit tiring and thankless when you have cleaned the beach and return the next day and it’s dirty again. But what I try and stick to and live by is that every little piece that we’re picking up is making a difference and you are taking that one piece of plastic out of the equation of whatever danger and harm it can cause down the line.
“As demotivating as it is, I see it as a way of the ocean kicking all of that plastic out so that I can get to it and remove it before it goes back in.”
Prinsloo says she is inspired by others who also advocate for the environment.
“There are so many amazing people and other organisations who inspire me. Greta (Swedish environmental activist) was a big motivation as well; she tackled something by herself and stuck to what she believed in. I try and live by that as well. Other environmental organisations inspire me too.”
She encourages women to follow their dreams and not give up.
“No matter how young or how alone you may feel, it just takes one person and one dream to stick with. Believe in what you’re doing. Don’t let people discourage you. I’ve had a lot of hurdles that I’ve had to overcome and people that didn’t believe in what I was doing. But by you sticking by it, it just shows what your morals are and that you’re serious. Find your passion and stick to it.”
Prinsloo and her team returned to Cape Town last week after successfully completing their #Coast2CoastwithSaveaFishie campaign.
“The campaign was a big one on my bucket list and now that it’s done, it feels amazing. We collected just under three tonnes of litter. We had our celebration clean-up on Saturday 5 August where we collected more. We have travelled just under 8 000 km’s in 71 days and cleaned 111 beaches.”
According to Prinsloo, human behaviour needs to improve drastically to tackle litter on beaches.
“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.”
When asked what she would still like to achieve, she says: “Now I just want to go bigger and further. I would love to spread it beyond South Africa and try and 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.”
