A group of sea-sunned, East London open water swimming obsessives are also pulling out all their strokes to support eco-tourism, marine conservation and associated environmental journalism training in the Pondoland Marine Protected Area which has been earmarked for heavy minerals mining.
“Living here, we have easy access to the Wild Coast, and have all retreated there along 4×4 tracks and beach trails over many decades,” said Wild & Free swim convenor, Dr Mandy Uys. “We have loved this wild frontier, its rivers and beaches and its people, and the earthing effect of spending time there. To reciprocate, we are swimming to raise funds for eco-tourism, marine conservation and associated environmental journalism training in the Pondoland MPA.”
“We hope our support will give rise to a small army of fearless enviro-social journo’s willing to take up the pen and wield it for change,” said Uys, referring to the planned environmental journalism training programme along South Africa’s wild coast.
>> Read revelations of a rugged sort.
“Our plan is to swim the Bushmans and Kariega Rivers which border Kenton on Sea, on the 1st and 2nd June 2019, hoping to breeze our way to the same 22k distance that was planned for the Wild Swim earlier this year.”
“If you love the Wild Coast and fear for its future in the hands of developers and miners, join us by pledging a small amount to help initiative this work,” said Uys.
To pledge your support donate here.
FEATURED PIC by John Costello
A selection of stunning photos of the Wild Coast taken by John Costello and an autographed copy of of his book, Mkambathi and the Wild Coast, are to be auctioned at a Wild Friends fundraising evening being hosted by Robsons Real Beer in Durban on July 19. For further information contact Fred Kockott on 083 277 8907.
