Community rallies to clean Milnerton Lagoon

More than 120 volunteers turned out at Milnerton Lagoon this weekend for a large-scale clean-up that combined environmental action with a personal celebration, marking the 50th birthday of Tanya Prinsloo, the mother of environmental activist and founder of Save A Fishie's, Zoë Prinsloo of Richwood.

The clean-up drew a wide mix of participants, including regular volunteers, members of the Rotary Club of Blouberg, a Lions Club representative, and a large group of pupils from Curro. They were joined by new volunteers, among them Grade 7 pupils from Al-Hidaayah College in Kraaifontein, many of whom were taking part in a beach clean-up for the first time.

 Zoë said the day was as much about education as it was about removing litter.

“For many of the pupils, this was their first experience of a clean-up, and it was important to show them what pollution actually looks like on the ground. Once you start talking about nurdles, microplastics, and everyday items like plastic lollipop sticks, it really opens their eyes to how serious the problem is,” she said.

Volunteers were asked to keep an eye out for lollipop sticks in particular, with one pupil reportedly collecting and counting 571 of them.

When Zoë asked who had found lollipop sticks, every volunteer raised their hand.

The clean-up also uncovered syringes, plastic bottle tops, straws, broken glass and earbud sticks. Volunteers were saddened to come across more than seven dead birds along the lagoon, a discovery organisers described as deeply distressing.

By the end of the morning, the lagoon side had been thoroughly cleared, with a total of 158 kilograms of litter collected.

To mark the birthday celebration, volunteers were treated to cupcakes and muffins, adding a festive note to a day focused on community spirit and care for the environment.

To volunteer for beach clean-ups across the city, call Save A Fishie at 084 233 5677 or email them at info@saveafishie.co.za

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