An Inspiring Talk by Zoe Prinsloo
We had the privilege of hosting an incredible guest speaker, Zoe Prinsloo, during our recent meeting, and her story is one that truly resonates with the spirit of Rotary. Zoe, at just 21 years old, is not only an environmental activist but also the founder and CEO of Save A Fishie NPC, a non-profit company in Paarden Eiland. Her journey began when she joined Girl Guides at the age of 10, leading her to her first beach clean-up and setting her on a path of environmental stewardship.
Zoe’s commitment to cleaning our beaches did not end with her service project; instead, it grew into a lifelong mission. As she consistently attended clean-ups, she noticed recurring culprits – plastic straws, earbuds, takeaway containers, and plastic bottles. This realisation ignited the birth of Save A Fishie, a name that has a heartwarming origin.
During one of her clean-ups, Zoe discovered a plastic bag trapped between rocks. To her surprise, she rescued a little fishie that was trapped inside, hence the name “Save A Fishie.” This incident emphasised the profound impact of our actions on nature. Zoe’s advocacy didn’t stop at clean- ups. She embarked on a quest to provide eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. Today, her range of products includes recycled and earth-friendly items, from notebooks and pens to water bottles and cutlery sets. Her mission is clear – make eco-friendly products accessible to the public, reduce the demand for plastic, and protect our planet.
Beyond pollution and tree planting, Zoe’s activism extends to various endeavours. She attended the UN Youth Climate Summit in New York City, stood alongside climate activist Greta Thunberg, and experienced the power of unity for a common cause. Zoe also participated in medical missions with Operation Smile in Mozambique, providing cleft lip and palate operations to those in need. Recently, Save A Fishie embarked on a remarkable journey, the Coast 2 Coast Clean-up campaign, spanning the entire coastline of South Africa.
Zoe and her team conducted an astonishing 112 beach clean-ups, collecting 3.616 tons of litter along the way. This eye-opening experience highlighted the stunning beauty of South African beaches but also the alarming negligence of some who litter recklessly. Zoe’s message is clear – choose conscience over convenience in everyday choices to protect our planet. Zoe’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. She was recognised as one of the Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders in 2021, won the youth category for the 2021 SAITA Business Person of the Year Awards, and just recently, during a full council meeting in the City of Cape Town, it was announced by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis that
Zoe will be receiving the prestigious Civic Honour’s Award for her environmental advocacy and beach cleanups. Zoe is one of only 8 people who will receive the Mayor’s Medal at a Special Council Meeting
Ceremony to be held on 6 December. In closing, Zoe reminds us that we don’t have to tackle the monumental task of saving our planet alone. Each one of us plays a vital role, and even small
actions, like picking up one piece of litter a day, can collectively lead to significant change. We thank Zoe for sharing her inspirational journey with us, and if you have any questions or wish to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to her.