1st Montshiao Rover Duduzile Mthombeni recently led a Plastic Tide Turners (PTT) clean-up and upcycle initiative with the Scouts of her Troop after attending the National PTT Advocacy training. “Plastic Tide Turners encourages individuals and communities to take action against pollution, promoting a sense of responsibility and collective impact. The need of this PTT project was to educate people around the area about the importance of a non-polluted area”, explains Dudu.
“I shared what I learned at the PTT training with my Crew and Troop members. I asked them to tidy the area at the Montshioa Cultural Village, where we usually have our weekly Troop meetings. The Cultural Village is visited by people in our community and is an important place for us.
We walked around the surroundings and collected plastics and plastic bottles. We reused the plastic bottles to make flower pots and a bag. My uncle gave us a helping hand by disposing of our binbags correctly”, she continues.
“I learnt the importance of reducing plastic pollution, of educating others about our role as individuals and the need for collective action.’ Some of the actions I will take forward are to adopt eco-friendly habits such as using reusable bags ,water bottles and straws; to educate and engage others, share knowledge with friends, family and community about plastic pollution’s impact; and to support PTT initiatives where I can.”