EK Vol 38 Nature & YOU!

Local CELEBS make their pledge to nature

My happiest nature moment was at the top of a volcano, watching a beautiful sunrise. My first memory of nature is of the African bush, hearing the animals talking and the whispers of the trees in the wind, and savouring all the smells nature has to offer. I f we look after nature, we can lead happier lives . Imagine if there were no animals or trees and all our water was polluted? That doesn’t sound like Anji Woodley is a film and theatre actress as well as a model. She is an animal activist and ambassador for Captured in Africa Foundation, which protects vulnerable big cats in South Africa.

I pledge to take care of my planet, like it takes care of me! I pledge to use environmentally friendly products that don’t harm animals.

Making a pledge to nature means taking a stand and vowing to respect and protect our planet. Meet the local heroes who love nature just as much as you do!

I pledge to take care of our planet the best way I can. I pledge to never stop planting veggies and sharing them.

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What’s your pledge to nature? Post, SMS or email your pledge and you could win a copy of Mr Hare Meets Mr Mandela . (Find our book review on page 13.)

I love nature because when you are in it you forget that you Eureka Nkese is a stand-up comedian who bounces between Jo’burg and Cape Town.

© Lynette Dreyer

a home I’d like to live in. www.facebook.com/anjiwoodleySA

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I pledge to spread the word about taking care of our nature parks and endangered wildlife, especially the giraffe. I pledge to save water and recycle.

are a 20-something-year-old comedian who is aspiring towards some dream or goal. When I’m in nature I can just enjoy myself, escape and forget that I have to “be somebody”. My favourite nature activity is to plant vegetables. My second favourite thing to do in nature is somersaults! Nature makes me feel… like I’m connected to the magic of our planet. I still find it amazing that you can plant one little seed in the ground and grow the most incredible vegetables. www.eurekankese.co.za

See page 2 for more info on the giraffe’s latest status on the IUCN Red List.

Loyiso MacDonald is a voice artist and actor who shot to fame with his role in the popular soap ‘Isidingo’.

Liezel van der Westhuizen is a popular radio and TV personality.

I spend a lot of time outdoors , either hiking or diving. I love getting close to nature and seeing our beautiful animal and floral kingdoms. It’s the perfect time to switch off my cellphone and relax. My first nature memory is a trip to Kruger National Park at the age of 5 with my parents seeing elephants for the first time. I remember how big they were! One of my happiest moments in nature was meeting Gerry the giraffe at the Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre in Stellenbosch (one of my favourite places to visit). www.liezel.co.za

I pledge to take full responsibility for my environmental footprint. I’ll do my best to recycle and reuse and to preserve the world I live in for future generations.

© Tamaryn Thomas

© Kevin Mark Pass

I pledge to save water and electricity, never to litter and to re-purpose whatever I can.

Romy Titus is a radio presenter and sports journalist. She is involved in Babies Behind Bars, an NGO that helps babies born in prison.

© Louis Botha

Nature to me means … all things that are not man made. Nature is beautiful and interesting and all around us all the time. As a child, my happiest moments in nature were family trips to the Drakensberg or Hogsback, hiking and swimming and just being in the mountains, away from the city. My first memory of nature is of feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. I love to walk in nature , to be completely surrounded by the environment, listening to the sounds of birds and insects and trees. Nature calms me and sometimes scares

Some of my happiest nature moments were spent under the apple and quince trees in my grandpa’s garden. I’d create my own “perfume” with plants and flowers or cook up a storm in my garden kitchen. My grandpa would play along by eating my mud cakes and asking questions about the recipe! Reading is my favourite thing to do in nature. Nestled in the garden in a comfy egg chair, sun on my face, birds chirping… it’s easy to lose myself in a good book. Nature makes me feel alive! I’m a part of this ecosystem; I’m part of the heartbeat of life. www.romytitus.co.za

One of my happiest moments in nature was the final stretch of a 44-kilometre trail run in Addo Elephant National Park. I was alone and felt like nature itself was egging me on towards the finish. My first nature memory is of walking up a mountain in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands with our border collie and stopping to pick blackberries while a thunderstorm loomed. Nature makes me feel… energised, yet calm, connected and content. www.theodoralee.com

Theodora Lee is a YouTube celebrity and blogger best known for her hilarious and honest videos about awkward topics. I pledge to actively cherish our natural resources. For me that means being water wise, using public transport, recycling and reusing, cutting down on meat, and encouraging others to do the same.

me . It makes me feel alive. www.facebook.com/loyiso.macdonald

8 EnviroKids Vol. 38(2), Winter 2017

EnviroKids Vol. 38(2), Winter 2017 9

Words Kirsti Rivett

Words Kirsti Rivett

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