Waves for Change | Activation Swim

On Saturday, 9th of December, we gathered at Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay for an ‘Activation Swim’, to appeal and object to the CGG Seismic Blasting due to start January 2024,

Following the round-up of our 2023 Swim Club, an annual five day swim challenge held in Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay, and Knysna, we made the call to add on an additional swim, in response to the Seismic Blasting, which will have devastating impacts on our marine life, our tourism and local fishing livelihoods. We collected donations on the day for the vital work of the Plett Environmental Forum, a group dedicated to promoting and educating in environmental awareness, ensuring a clean and green environment, and actively participating in sustainable development projects.

Huge gratitude to everyone in our community who braved the rainy weather to swim with us, and make a donation. Thanks to our engaged swimmers, we raised R12,540 for the Plett Environmental Forum. And as promised, Mungo is doubling the impact by matching the donation.

If you’d like to support, please sign the petition below.

Navigating Paradox and Complexity

Paradox: I looked it up to get clarity before writing this.
This is an explanation.

“A statement that seems to contradict itself, or seems to go against itself, but may contain a basic or underlying truth when examined more closely.”

I suppose another way of looking at a paradox can be posed as a statement.
How not to be a hypocrite.
Or a question.
How do I stand for what I believe and not be a hypocrite?

In terms of sustainability the term paradox comes up a lot. So does the term complexity. To understand sustainability and the interconnection between humans and the planet one needs to spend some time thinking about paradox and complexity.

How do I stand against the seismic testing that has been approved off the coast of Plett when I drive my diesel bakkie to work and cook my food with gas?
Am I a hypocrite?
I guess I am if you wish to look at it in such binary terms as good and bad.
But it isn’t that simple, if only it were.
We don’t live in a fantasy world, it’s not simple and it’s not easy.

It’s complex.

We have a lot to thank fossil fuels for and we can’t just switch off the ‘tap’.
Every single one of us is inextricably linked and entirely complicit.
That’s what is being debated at COP28 right now.
The just transition.

And it’s a paradox.

I will drive my car to a protest against the very company that puts the fuel in the tank to get me there.
But my desire is pure. I mean well. We shouldn’t be blasting the oceans and extracting more pure carbon to stick into the atmosphere. The system needs to change.
So I believe that it’s our intent that counts.

I am searching for a different way.
Even when it makes me a hypocrite.
There isn’t much choice in that. I will embrace it. Try regardless.

It’s complex. It’s a paradox.

– Managing Director, Dax Holding