5 Drive’s Nick Hamman joins Bio-Strath, explorer Riaan Manser and 5 matric students on an environmental adventure in Mauritius.
After a rigorous selection process, five lucky matrics won the chance to visit Antarctica on an environmental journey of a lifetime. Unfortunately, due to a Covid-19 outbreak there, the trip to Antarctica had to be postponed. But while they temporarily packed away their snowshoes, they also pulled out their flip flops! The matrics will still get to travel to Antarctica but in the meantime, they are off to Mauritius with Bio-Strath.
The Matrics In Antarctica initiative was created to help inspire young South Africans, particularly matric students, to think about sustainability and how they can make a difference to the environment in their communities.
Now in Mauritius, they are highlighting the challenges our oceans are facing following an oil spill in 2020, what is being done to clear up the pollution and the impact of the spill on all the countries in the region. They will also look at some other eco challenges we all face – primarily the shortage of potable water.
Tune in to 5 Drive and join Nick Hamman, Bio-Strath, Riaan Manser and the five matrics: Tswaledi, Anika, Mattheus, Kgosatsana and Keaton, as they take us on their weeklong journey of the breathtaking African island.
Matrics in Mauritius: Day 1
The team received a warm welcome as they arrived on the beautiful island of Mauritius. After settling in, they enjoyed some delicious traditional Mauritian food and even joined in a Hindu religious observation – a three-day festival known as Maha Shivaratree.
Matrics in Mauritius: Day 2
Day 2 of Matrics in Mauritius saw the team visiting La Vallee de Ferney, a forest and wildlife reserve, to learn about the Pink Pigeon and Mauritian Kestrel - once the world's rarest bird. However, thanks to an incredible conservation program, the population of the Mauritius kestrel has continued to increase steadily to a population of about 600-800. Watch the video here:
Matrics in Mauritius: Day 3
On Day 3 of Matrics in Mauritius, the team started the day kayaking with explorer Riaan Manser, and then went on to learn about bee conservation and thinking consciously about food with local chef, Dominik Ambros.
Matrics in Mauritius: Day 4
On Day 4 of Matrics in Mauritius, the team went snorkeling in the famous crystal blue waters of Mauritius! They visited a coral farm to learn about ocean conservation and important marine biodiversity programs.