Learners have fun, learning about conservation

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Joy, discovery and inspiration from the ocean were key features of an event held at the Dias Museum on Saturday, 7 June.

More than 50 Grade Four learners from local schools, including Isalathiso Primary, took part in a vibrant World Earth and Ocean Day celebration hosted by IOceans Trust, with support from Mossel Bay Tourism volunteers, IOceans ambassadors and mentors and students from South Cape College.

With the theme, Pledge to the Sea, the event aimed to teach learners about marine life and environmental responsibility through hands-on fun.

Memorable

When children learn about the ocean in playful and memorable ways, they start to care about it, and that’s where conservation begins, says Olwethu Mthimkhulu, a program director at IOceans.

The day started with a lively sea creature stretch activity, followed by a guided tour of the Bartolomeu Dias' replica caravel ship, where learners heard about the incredible three-month journey from Portugal to Mossel Bay.

“It’s a celebration of human endurance, but also of the ocean’s role in shaping our shared history,” said Xavier Jobs, who led the storytelling session.

The highlight of the morning was a marine-themed treasure hunt, where children rotated through six creative activity stations: a puppet play station, trash dash relay, pollution treasure dip, aquarium quiz trail, message in a bottle station and a creative corner. Every station was designed to blend fun with learning about the environment.

Pride and spirit

The event concluded with a powerful group pledge and a war chant contest, in which teams performed ocean-inspired chants, filled with pride and spirit. After the closing ceremony, the children were treated to soup and a roll lunch.

As a parting gift and a lasting symbol of their pledge, each child received a Spekboom 'Superhero' plant.

Known for its incredible carbon-absorbing abilities, the Spekboom was presented as a living reminder for children to keep being conservation crusaders in their homes, schools and communities.

“By the end of the day, our learners didn’t just leave with smiles, but something far more powerful: a sense of pride, responsibility and a plant to grow with them,” said Nathalia Komani, a teacher at Isalathiso Primary School.

“We are so grateful for this inspiring experience.”

IOceans Trust extends its heartfelt thanks to the Dias Museum, the restaurant who supplied the soup and roll and all Mossel Bay Tourism volunteers, IOceans ambassadors and mentors, educators, and community supporters who helped bring this meaningful day to life.