Sustainable Seas Trust

The Sustainable Seas Trust is a non-profit organization (NPO) that supports and connects communities across Africa through research, education, enterprise development, and growing awareness about ocean conservation and plastic pollution.

Why our work is important: Africa has some of the most exquisite, biodiverse, and marine-rich coastlines in the world. We need to protect them. Waste-focused studies predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic littering Africa, and entering its seas, than on any other continent. This vast pollution, combined with habitat destruction and over-fishing, stands to collapse the ocean’s ecosystems. That is not only a threat to our environment/ oceans but also to humans. In addition, addressing poverty and human health is fundamental in the fight against marine pollution. Healthy communities lead to a healthy environment.

Our current projects include :

Anelisa and her heavy plastic bag – SST’s education team has just published an illustrated children’s storybook highlighting the challenges of plastic pollution and its impacts on the surrounding community and environment.

Written by former SST head of education Nozi Mbongwa, who drew on her own experiences growing up in a polluted township, Anelisa and her Heavy Plastic Bag follows the adventures of a nine-year-old Zulu girl who learns about plastic pollution and recycling at school. Excited by her newfound knowledge, she tries to bring about behavioural change among her family members. Although she is initially met with resistance from her father, with the support of her Gogo, Anelisa manages to get him to see the error of his ways and adopt more environmentally friendly practices in his everyday life.

The book seeks to address the limited access that learners (and many educators) have to accurate information regarding the challenges and impacts of plastic pollution. It also includes several printable, CAPS assessment-linked activities for children to complete with the help of their parents or teacher.

Copies of Anelisa and her Heavy Plastic Bag can be ordered via education@sstafrica.org.za

Another important project is our free e-learning course for educators – The course is based on SST Educator’s Guide to Marine Litter for Western Indian Ocean Countries, a three-part series. Our goal is to equip educators to teach learners confidently about marine plastic litter. The course is designed to be viewed offline and on your phone. The course is available at https://africanwasteacademy.org/

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A list of our needs :

We would love schools and organisations to reach out to us at education@sstafrica.org.za for further information on the programs SST offers (e.g. school assemblies, class talks, eco-club support, marine excursions, holiday clubs).

We are also in need of sponsorship and support to continue our education programmes.

Contact: +27 76 608 3587 info@sst.org.za

You can also find us on all social media platforms!