A Youthful Vision: Zoë Prinsloo's Quest to Save Marine Life One Beach at a Time
At just 21 years old, Zoë Prinsloo's passion for the environment led her to establish Save a Fishie, an environmental organization focused on beach cleanups and environmental preservation. Recently, Prinsloo's team of volunteers cleaned 100 beaches across South Africa in just 60 days, demonstrating her commitment to her cause.
At just 21 years old, Zoë Prinsloo’s passion for the environment led her to establish Save a Fishie, an environmental organization focused on beach cleanups and environmental preservation. Recently, Prinsloo’s team of volunteers cleaned 100 beaches across South Africa in just 60 days, demonstrating her commitment to her cause.
A Passion for the Environment
Prinsloo’s love for the environment began at age ten when she joined the Girl Guides. While participating in a beach cleanup with the organization, she was struck by the amount of litter on the shorelines. Compelled to make a difference, she began organizing her own beach cleanups.
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In 2016, Prinsloo saved a fish trapped in a plastic bag during a cleanup, and this experience inspired her to establish Save a Fishie. She firmly believes that even small actions can make a significant impact on marine life.
Steadfast Belief
Prinsloo is committed to her cause despite the demanding and often thankless nature of her work. She remains optimistic and encouraged by fellow environmental activists like Greta Thunberg. As Prinsloo says, “Find your passion and stick to it.”
Making a Difference
Prinsloo recently completed the successful #Coast2CoastwithSaveaFishie campaign, during which her team collected nearly three tons of litter from 111 beaches and covered nearly 8,000 kilometers. She believes that changing human behavior is crucial to combat beach litter, particularly addressing issues like public drinking, which contributes to the problem.
Despite the challenges, Prinsloo remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. She hopes to inspire people worldwide to join her cause and engage more with schools to encourage young minds to drive positive change in their communities.
A Beacon of Hope
Zoë Prinsloo’s commitment to safeguarding marine life serves as a beacon of hope for the future of our environment. Her ability to inspire others, regardless of age or background, is a true reflection of her belief in the potential of every individual to make a difference, one beach at a time.
Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.
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