A marine lesson with added bite

Presenter Steven Mabugana helps Abongile Dumakade (6) understand the sensation of a sharks skin as scores of people descend on the science hub in the Joburg CBD to see a shark being dissect in front of a live audience who actively part take in it. Picture: Timothy Bernard 29.06.2014

Presenter Steven Mabugana helps Abongile Dumakade (6) understand the sensation of a sharks skin as scores of people descend on the science hub in the Joburg CBD to see a shark being dissect in front of a live audience who actively part take in it. Picture: Timothy Bernard 29.06.2014

Published Jun 30, 2014

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Durban - Children got up close and personal with the great predators of the sea this weekend.

This happened when Steven Mabugana, a director at Aqua Amazing, a Durban marine science and education company, gave an interactive presentation at Sci-Bono in Newtown, Joburg, on Sunday.

The audience was enlightened on the work of the Sharks Board via an audiovisual presentation, followed by a Spinnaker shark’s dissection.

Parents and children were given the opportunity to feel the shark and touch its liver.

“This is very interesting. It feels slimy,” said 8-year-old Jack Latilla-Campbell as he felt the dead shark.

Thato Mokhadi, who attended the presentation with her son, said it was insightful and helpd children “to relate what they see on the Discovery channel”.

The hands-on approach was supplemented by amazing facts and figures relating to sharks and marine matters.

“Our aim is to tie the topic with life orientation,” said Mabugana.

His company motivates and educates the community on marine and environmental issues. He has been doing this for eight years.

Several actors and ministers have attended the show.

He said Aqua Amazing is the only black-owned youth company that provides this kind of marine education in South Africa.

The show will run until Friday. - The Star

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