TSITSIKAMMA MARINE PROTECTED AREA

Several months ago the government announced a proposal to open parts of the Tsitsikamma nature reserve to fishing.  This is the oldest nature reserve in South Africa and has a significant impact on feeding life to the surrounding areas.  Our scientific studies have shown that opening of the reserve would be disastrous for all surrounding areas and especially Plettenberg Bay. 

In response to this, Tony Lubner along with Ocean Blue Adventures and the ORCA Foundation, organised a petition and distributed it to the businesses around Plettenberg Bay.  They also spent a day at Market Square collecting signatures.  In total we submitted 957 signatures to Minister Van Schalkwyk, Head of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.  Following the dramatic response from the public the Minister has shelved the proposal for the moment.

EDUCATION CENTRE

“THE POWER OF ONE”

The volunteers have been instrumental in the creation of an education centre in association with Ocean Blue.  The theme of the centre is to highlight the significance that each and every individual can make towards improving the state of our planet.  "ACT LOCAL IMPACT GLOBAL” is the great affect each person can make. The following photos are an example of one of our photo boards. Life or Lifeless, The choice is yours!

WHALES IN THE BAY

Carbon Emissions - "Carbon Neutral Plett"

Ocean Blue and ORCA have started an organic gardening program (with Charles from Ouland Farms) and tree planting project to off set the carbon emissions produced by Ocean Blue from the running of the boats and also for the flights of the volunteers when coming on projects.  So far we have planted 50 indigenous trees suited to the area, 150 tomato plants, 150 lettuce, 100 eggplant and peppers, and buffalo grass (indigenous to South Africa).  The plan is to increase this program to visiting guests and locals.

See the Sea! - "You protect that which you Love"

Thanks to the participation of our visiting volunteers the school education program is producing some wonderful responses from the children.  They have been very excited to participate in the games and activities that the volunteers have organised for them.  But as always, the cherry on the cake is to go out to sea to see the seals and what ever else we find along the way. Below, letters of thanks from some of the children showing their experiences at sea.

The volunteers have been working hard at maintaining the aquarium.  They have been learning about the safe parameters that the aquarium (and our ocean) must be kept at, in order to keep the fish healthy.  To achieve this they have performed regular water changes and constant monitoring of nitrate, conductivity, and phosphate levels.  Lots of hard work but well worth the effort.

The Siyakula pre-school has been “invaded!!!” by fish of all colours, shapes and sizes.  The children are making fish and corals as part of ORCA’s pre-school education program.  These fish will eventually be used to make an underwater world to ‘swim and snorkel’ in.  The volunteers can’t wait to complete the project and I think are more excited about it than the children.

In November there will be 20 children graduating and going to big school.

The fire safety program for the children has is in full swing.  We have started off with ‘stop, drop and roll’ and some other basics.  The fire department was at the creche and gave them an excellent demonstration.  There will be a fire safety plan made for the school and they will be practicing fire drills on a regular basis.  The teachers have also been involved in a fire safety program and will be completing a first aid course before the end of the year.

Children crawling out of a ‘smoke’ filled classroom

At the beginning of winter there was a fire in Qolweni that destroyed more than 80 houses.  After hearing about the fire, one of our volunteers (Stephanie Simos) was generous  enough to donate 10 blankets to the creche.  The principal of the creche (Nkwesi) distributed the blankets and the clothing donations that came in from all over Plett, to those who needed it most.

The food sponsors for the creche (Plett Fish) are closing down.  We now need to buy food for the children; this is approx R50/child/month.  In an attempt to offset these costs, we are starting a sponsor-a-child program to be in place before the new school year begins.  If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please feel free to contact us regarding details at tony@orcafoundation.co.za.

In the mean time, the organic garden is doing very well with cabbage, beans, carrots, leeks, beet root and spinach growing strong.

Donations are now accepted through our Secure Paypal account - Welcome, Tony Lubner (qolweni@hotmail.com) Account Type: Business Status: South African - Verified