Durban - Former competitive South African pool swimmer Sarah Ferguson’s close encounters with nature on her recent Elephant Coast expedition have unequivocally reinforced her determination to expose the dangers of plastic pollution.
As an ambassador for SPAR Eastern Cape’s Stop Plastic campaign, Ferguson swam 100km over a six-day period, from Ponta Dobela in Mozambique to Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal last month.
In July, Ferguson linked up with SPAR EC to support them in their Stop Plastic campaign, which was launched in April.
The chief objective of the swim is to create a seven-part documentary series which Ferguson’s environmental movement, Breathe Conservation, is producing to demonstrate the threat of plastic pollution.
The Cape Town-based physiotherapist spoke about the importance of society taking responsibility for the threat posed by plastic.
“The issue of plastic pollution is a global one. The marine animals I was privileged to swim among are essential for our ecosystem. They do not have a voice to speak out on the negative effects of human ignorance and waste and I am choosing to use my voice to advocate on their behalf. We are destroying the planet we are called to look after. It is not too late to change but if we do not change our behaviour today, the next generation may not have the privilege of encountering marine life like I have been blessed to encounter,” she said.