City empowering youth to protect rivers, oceans and future
29 June 2026
As South Africa marks Youth Month and National Environment Month, the City of Cape Town is investing in the next generation of environmental leaders. On Thursday, 25 June 2026, learners in the Junior River Wardens Programme visited the Two Oceans Aquarium, where they discovered how protecting rivers, wetlands and oceans begins with the choices made in every community.
'As we honour the courage and legacy of the youth of 1976, this year's Youth Month theme, which is ‘RESET@50 – The Future Calls’, challenges us to equip young people to actively shape South Africa's future. The freedoms won by previous generations must now be matched by action that builds resilient communities, protects our natural resources and creates opportunities for generations to come,' said the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
'The Junior River Wardens Programme invests in young people as future environmental leaders. Through practical learning and hands-on conservation experiences, learners develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to become ambassadors for biodiversity in their schools, homes and communities.'
At the Two Oceans Aquarium, learners participated in the Life in Rock Pools educational programme, where they explored the meeting point of South Africa's two oceans and discovered the remarkable biodiversity of rocky shore ecosystems. They learnt how marine species have adapted to survive in changing environments and explored the impact of pollution on marine life.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: the health of our oceans begins upstream. By understanding how rivers, wetlands, stormwater systems, estuaries and oceans are interconnected, learners gained a deeper appreciation of how everyday actions can either protect or pollute the environment.
The visit concluded with an exploration of the aquarium's exhibits, including a diver feeding in the Kelp Forest exhibit, transforming classroom learning into real-world discovery and strengthening learners' understanding of biodiversity and conservation.
'The Junior River Wardens programme encourages young people not only to understand environmental challenges, but to become part of the solution. Just as the youth of 1976 showed that young voices can shape the future of a nation, today's Junior River Wardens are discovering that they too can influence South Africa's future through environmental stewardship, responsible citizenship and community leadership,' concluded Alderman Andrews.National Environment Month reminds us that protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience requires collective action. Government, businesses, communities and individuals all have a role to play in reducing pollution, restoring rivers and wetlands, supporting conservation initiatives and creating opportunities for young people to connect with nature.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
