First shared at NJSA Community online gathering August 2024 and then EEPAN in September 2024.
From left: Siziwe Hlongwa (WESSA KZN Youth leader); Zuzile Mpanza (WESSA Youth and nature guide at uMhlanga Lagoon NR); Discovery Assistant (name unknown at time of publishing blog); Zandile Ndlhovu (Director Black Mermaid Foundation); Sibusi Chonco (WESSA Env Educator); Melisa Nonjiko (WESSA Youth and EEPAN coordinator); Thuthukile Muthwa (WESSA Youth and uShaka Marine guide)
Importance of Direct Nature Experience
Recently a shark diving session was done by some of the WESSA Youth representatives, the session was presented by Zandile Ndhlovu, the Director of the Black Mermaid Foundation. The diving took place off the Aliwal Shoal in Umkomaas off the south coast of KZN. I reached out to some of the participants about their experience.
The responses are from Zuzile Mpanza, a nature guide at the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve and also WESSA Youth Leadership Committee, Sibusisiwe Chonco, WESSA Environmental Educator, and Siziwe Hlongwa, KZN Youth Chair.
From left: Siziwe and Zuzile at Mpila, looking at aloes. Some nature journaling from Siziwe pointing at whales they spotted and showing the camaraderie shared on the boat. The blacktip sharks by Sibusi.
🎤 How did you find and join the WESSA Youth group?
Zuzile: I joined WESSA Youth when I was doing my final year at UNISA, I was doing a water pollution report, so I joined a beach cleanup at the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve whereby I connected with other WESSA volunteers. They told me more about WESSA and the volunteering program. That day I didn't hesitate, I started my journey of volunteering at WESSA.
Siziwe: I found the WESSA youth group through attending a climate change protest in October 2019 in Durban. Amongst the many green organisations present at the protest WESSA stood out for me and I approached WESSA youths that were there, I exchanged contacts with Zuzile Mpanza who guided me through the application process of becoming part of WESSA Youth.
Sibusisiwe: I first heard about WESSA from a friend I met during my time at university. I was searching for a conservation organization to get involved with because my interest in nature and conservation had really started to grow. This friend connected me with Bongani, who was the WESSA Youth Chairperson for KZN at the time. That introduction led me to sign up as a volunteer for WESSA. It felt great to join an organization that’s committed to protecting the earth and advocating for environmental rights.
🎤 Your ocean experience was so special, what was your favourite part of the whole experience?
Zuzile: The whole experience was exciting for me, but the most favorite part was swimming with the black tip reef sharks. Looking at TV shows I thought sharks attack humans when they come near them, but my knowledge changed that day, Zandile Ndlovu explained that they have different behavior just like other animals you have to learn their behavior, for example know when to stay away, know when they are friendly and relaxed.
Siziwe: It was indeed a special experience, my favourite part of the whole experience was diving close to the black tip reef sharks, I have never held my breath underwater for that long, let alone being close to those amazing sea creatures that many people are scared to be close to, that experience revealed my braveness and a better understanding of how friendly sharks can be and their need to be conserved instead of being feared.
Sibusisiwe: There were so many incredible moments that day, but the highlight for me was meeting Zandi Ndhlovu. She’s such an influential and inspiring figure. Zandi shared her journey with us – how she was working a typical desk job and, while on vacation in Bali, discovered diving for the first time. It sparked something in her. When she returned to South Africa, she earned her scuba diving licence, but she realized it wasn’t enough. One day, she saw a reel on Instagram of women diving without tanks and knew deep diving was her calling. Her story deeply moved me. She started pursuing this passion in her thirties, already established in her career, which made me realize it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Hearing her story shifted my perspective – it’s not about locking into one career but rather exploring life and finding what truly excites you.
🎤 What observation surprised you most about diving with the sharks?
Zuzile: They were relaxed and they didn't mind us swimming next to them.
Siziwe: I was surprised by how friendly sharks can be, that instead of seeing me as a meal in their environment they continued to swim and not attack us at all which is contrary to popular belief that sharks are very dangerous and they easily attack humans when invading their space. Seeing sharks underwater while swimming really transformed my fear to fascination.
Sibusisiwe: Before this experience, I honestly believed that sharks were dangerous predators who saw humans as prey. I thought that the minute I entered the ocean, I’d be in immediate danger if a shark appeared. But being in the water with them completely changed my perspective. I learned that sharks have been misunderstood – they’re not mindless killers. In fact, with the right understanding of their body language, humans and sharks can coexist peacefully in the water. These creatures are fascinating and graceful, and there’s still so much we don’t know about them. Sharks are essential to the health of the ocean’s ecosystems, and they deserve our efforts to conserve them.
🎤 How did you experience the ocean without a lot of knowledge of swimming?
Zuzile: At first I was little bit scared, because I knew very well I can't swim at all, but because I wanted to do this and Zandile assured me that I don't need to know how to swim in order to do freediving. The ocean was more calmer at the pelagic zone, so all I had to do was to be calm and be able to master the breathing technique.
Siziwe: I think what made it more easy for me to get into the ocean was my love for swimming, I haven’t been swimming for a long time but I used to swim when I was in primary school, and to my surprise, the skill never faded even though it hasn’t been used for a long time, it was my first time diving and holding breath through the snorkel.
Sibusisiwe: Honestly, it was daunting at first, especially since I don’t consider myself a strong swimmer. But once I was in the water, surrounded by such a supportive team and with Zandi’s story in my mind, it gave me the confidence to immerse myself in the experience. The ocean has this overwhelming beauty that pulls you in, and despite my initial fear, I felt at peace and connected to the world around me.
🎤 How will ocean studies be followed up as a future interest for you?
Zuzile: After this experience, I had more interest in ocean study, as I did Nature Conservation studies I knew a little bit about the ocean, but experiencing it added more interest.
Siziwe: My passion for the ocean and marine studies was ignited through that experience. Although my focus in the education for sustainability has been on land but I will pursue marine studies through volunteering with uShaka Marine which I believe will give me more exposure to the ocean space and one of my goals is to be able to deliver a holistic environmental education to the learners and communities and that involves knowledge about the marine environment.
Sibusisiwe: This experience has truly deepened my passion for conservation, especially regarding the ocean. I now realize how interconnected everything is – from the smallest coral to the largest predator. Moving forward, I want to continue learning more about marine life and perhaps get involved in projects focused on ocean conservation. Whether through volunteering or perhaps even pursuing further studies in marine biology, I want to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants for future generations.
🎤 I am so impressed that you tried out journaling your experience. Is this your first time journaling or is it a practice that you try and do more often?
Zuzile: I haven't journaled my experience, but I will do soon.
Siziwe: Thank you 😊, It wasn’t my first time journaling, it is actually a practice that I try and hope to do more often in processing my feelings and experiences and also keep a record of the incredible experiences and the daily happenings in my life as I have the privilege of working in a green space where I have the opportunity to record all the wonderful things and changes we see in nature daily.
Sibusisiwe: Journaling is something I’ve tried here and there, but I've only recently been introduced to the concept of nature journaling. This diving with sharks experience really inspired me to make my nature journal entry. It felt like a moment that needed to be captured, not just for memory’s sake but to reflect on the emotions and lessons I took away from it. After this, I’m thinking of making nature journaling more of a regular practice, especially for special moments or when I feel deeply moved by an experience in nature. It’s such a great way to look back and see how my thoughts and perspectives evolve over time.
To see the presentation given at the EEPAN session, click below.
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