A heartfelt goodbye to Goby, who left uMhlanga Rocks in the second week of May onto other exciting adventures.
During the stay, the uMhlanga Improvement Precincts (UIP) and the community of Durban North and uMhlanga managed to collect an amazing 650kgs of plastic. The project, symbolised by a five metre fish structure launched in 2019, aimed to address the issue of plastic waste on the KZN coastline, while educating children and families on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste and removing plastic waste from the beaches. Endorsed by UNICEF South Africa, FIFA Beach Soccer Worldwide Foundation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Southern Africa and the Durban Regeneration Project 2022, Goby addresses the broader UN Global Sustainable Development Goals and facilitates priority sport development interventions for children, including the making of sports equipment from re-purposed plastic.
Vaughn Bishop, founder and director of the Goby initiative said, “I believe that play in every form is the right of every child. Safe and inclusive play and sports are tools for improving children’s lives. They contribute to health, child development and foster peace and tolerance. Above all educating families on the importance of reusing, reducing and recycling plastic waste is vital.” Bishop added that Goby had partnered with the uMhlanga UIP to create awareness around plastic waste management and get the public involved in being part of the solution. Dewet Geldenhuys, manager of the uMhlanga UIP Precinct said that, “UMhlanga UIP is committed to waste management and awareness, specifically around plastic waste on our beaches. “Thank you to each and every one that helped collect plastic to fill up Goby and we hope that we see Goby again soon,” said Geldenhuys.
