A competition was held at the schools in and around Sodwana Bay, where children were asked to answer the following important question:

"What are the main environmental issues faced on our coast, and how will being part of the expedition benefit me and my community?"

The prize was a trip to visit the Algoa and to learn more about coelacanths and the other organisms inhabiting the Sodwana Bay habitat, as well as being exposed to the other science aspects of the Programme such as oceanography and geoscience.

Whilst the students enjoyed their trip and evidently learnt a lot from it, when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, many replied that they would like to be a ship's Captain, who seems to have made a big impression on them! We were rather hoping they might like to be scientists.

The following essays written by students from high schools in the Sodwana Bay region express their ideas and feelings about the environmental issues faced on our coast and our responsibility to help. These students were selected to participate in the First Expedition in April 2002 following the launch of the South Africa Coelacanth Conservation and Genome Resource Programme.

For most of these students, English is their second or even third language. The text has been copied as accurately as possible. We love the very poetic language many of them use to describe the challenges facing the people and the coast on a daily basis.

Read the essays:

Mduduzi Nyawo, Mmemezi High School.

Vusumuzi Magwanyana, Silethuthukhanya High School

Richard Zwane, Lipolethu High School

Sphesihle Sindisiwe Jobe, Mqbandleni High School

Gugu Tembe, Silethukukhanya High

Thandeka A Ngobese, Moses Zikhali High

Zandile Fakude, Masibonibani High School

Ntokozo Sibiya, Silethukukhanya High School

Oscar Mnthemendla, Lifolethu High School

photos by James Stapley