We are getting ready for the 5th annual Penguin Promises Waddle for a Week, generously supported by Old Mutual Finance, that will be taking place from 13-18 April.
During the week, the waddlers walk all the way from Gansbaai to Simon’s Town to raise awareness of the plight of the African penguin. The Waddle and the Penguin Promises campaign do not aim to raise money, but rather to motivate behavioural change that will have a positive impact on the environment.
In the lead-up to the Waddle, we will be introducing you to the people who are tackling the 120km walk. Have a look at the first four waddlers we introduced last week.
Here are your next four:
First for this week’s introductions, we have Zama.
Zama Shandu is a Guest Relations Guide at uShaka Sea World in Durban. Zama interacts with throngs of guests, including scholars, who visit this impressive marine theme park throughout the year. This means that she has many excellent opportunities to educate by sharing her passion for life beneath the waves. Zama calls herself an ocean ambassador and says about the Waddle: “The walk will be a way of raising awareness for the African penguin and showing my dedication to these beautiful birds.” This will be Zama’s first Waddle.
We are happy to introduce to you Londiwe.
Londiwe Shezi is also a Guest Relations Guide, playing a vital role in the marine education programmes at uShaka Sea World. Londiwe says participating in the Waddle is important to her, as it will increase her knowledge. “It will be a great honour to understand them [African penguins] better, as I will have the opportunity of encountering them in their natural habitat," says Londiwe. "Taking part in the Waddle will make my presentation more personal, as I will fully understand the real threats that the penguins face every day in the wild. Being part of the Waddle will make me an ambassador, as well as make my presentations more exciting and interesting by helping the guests understand that they play a role in the penguins' lives.” This will be Londiwe’s first Waddle.
Next up is Juan.
Juan Croucamp is the lucky lady who spends her days at uShaka Sea World, looking after the resident African penguin colony! The many devoted hours enjoyed in the company of these socially busy birds means one becomes personally invested in their absolute wellbeing. Juan says: “I have a deep passion for all animals, especially our feathered friends. We have to ensure that the youth of today become actively involved in conserving these incredible little creatures. I feel a strong personal commitment to these animals and the Waddle is a great opportunity to act upon this commitment.” This will be Juan’s first Waddle.
Last of this week's introductions, but most certainly not least, is Fiona.
Fiona King is the snake park curator at Bayworld in Port Elizabeth and participated in both 2012 and 2014 Eastern Cape Waddles, so she has first-hand experience of what is in store for her! Occasionally Fiona will assist with the penguins at Bayworld and she claims that they definitely bite more than snakes do! One striking comment in Fiona’s motivation to be a part of the team reads: “I want to do what I can to help ensure that my friends’ children (I only have furkids of my own) and their children and their children’s children and so on all get the chance to see these incredible creatures, and get to be as fascinated as I am. Of course, it is an added benefit that the act of raising awareness for the penguins and encouraging people to live a more environmentally friendly life, will benefit numerous other species as well.” This will be Fiona’s first Western Cape Waddle.
Without generous sponsorship of the Waddle, the week-long event cannot take place. We wish to thank African Wildcats Charters and Tours for sponsoring the Waddle vehicle for the week.
The Waddlers are looking forward to seeing you on the road with them. For more info about the Penguin Promises campaign, as well as the Waddle for a Week, please contact Hayley McLellan on 021 8144532 or hayley.mclellan@aquarium.co.za.
Waddle you do? Here is some inspiration for making your Penguin Promise:
Take a look at last year's Waddle
To get a good idea of what to expect during the Waddle for a Week, take a look at our day-by-day coverage from last year:
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day One
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day Two: Standford to Hermanus
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day Three: Hermanus to Kleinmond
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day Four: Kleinmond to Betty's Bay
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day Five: Gordon's Bay to Strand
- Waddle for a Week 2014, Day Six: Muizenberg to Simon’s Town
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