542kg Of waste was collcted by 54 volunteers of the South Africa Youth Unite for Peace in Cape Town. This forms part of an environmental campaign.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A total of 54 volunteers collected 542 kilograms of waste from Lagoon Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday, 10 October 2026, as part of the ongoing Peace My City environmental campaign. Organised by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and Save A Fishie, the initiative brought together young people, community organisations, and local government representatives to combat coastal pollution while promoting environmental responsibility and peace.
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Key Details
Impact & Context: Volunteers collected 542kg of trash (40 large bags), contributing to over 2,000kg cleared from Lagoon Beach in four months.
Organizers & Partners: Organized under the Peace My City campaign by HWPL, IPYG, and Save A Fishie, drawing 54 volunteers including municipal waste officials, the Junior City Council, Edgemead Rotaract, and local students.
Pieces for Peace Art Competition: Coincided with the finale of an art competition for youth aged 10–18 using recycled waste, with winners including Caylee Oser and Catharine Monzinger.
Coastal Nations Face Ongoing Challenges
South Africa, like many coastal nations, faces ongoing challenges with plastic pollution, waste management, and environmental degradation. In Cape Town, a major coastal city at the southern tip of Africa, litter and improperly disposed waste threaten marine ecosystems and public spaces. Lagoon Beach has been particularly affected, with more than 2,000 kilograms of waste reportedly removed from its shoreline over the past four months.
The clean-up brought together representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Solid Waste Department, Junior City Council, Edgemead Rotaract, Factreton School, and other community volunteers, who collectively filled 40 bags, resulting in 542kg of waste. Save A Fishie founder Zoe Prinsloo expressed her appreciation, stating, “Thank you HWPL for coming out to assist.”
Nappies were EVERYWHERE! Mom collected 19 in just 5 minutes before the cleanup even started! We estimate that well over 150 nappies were picked up today alone! And the weirdest finds? A mattress or couch cushion complete with springs, an entire car bumper, a tyre, TWO litter bins and a big bucket!
– Zoe Prinsloo –
Founder of Save A Fishie – Zoe Prinsloo
The event followed the conclusion of the 2026 Pieces for Peace Sustainable Art Competition, co-hosted by HWPL, IPYG, and Save A Fishie. The competition encouraged learners aged 10–18 across South Africa’s Western Cape province to transform discarded materials into artworks reflecting peace and environmental stewardship. Over 30 entries were received, with Caylee Oser (14, George’s Girl Guides) and Catharine Monzinger (Liebenberg Primary School) announced as the Junior and Senior category winners on 5 October 2026.
Peace My City
Both initiatives form part of Peace My City, first launched in Gugulethu, Cape Town, in 2017. The campaign connects environmental protection with peacebuilding by encouraging young people to take responsibility for shared spaces and strengthen community cooperation. Reflecting this mission, an HWPL South Africa Branch representative highlighted the message,
“Peace does not come just with words; it is realized through actions.”
An IPYG South Africa branch representative stated, “The Lagoon Beach clean-up and collection of 542kg of waste demonstrates how youth-led volunteerism contributes to environmental improvement and a culture of peace in the community,” adding, “Through our Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW), we plan to strengthen partnerships with local schools, civic groups, and the City of Cape Town’s Solid Waste Department to expand our environmental initiatives.”
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