Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Pupils march over climate change crisis
MORE than 300 pupils from across the city descended on Parliament and marched to the city hall last week to hand over their two-page memorandum on the climate crisis.
The disgruntled pupils demanded that a moratorium be placed on new coal, gas and oil mining licences; to have 100% renewable energy by 2030; and a mandatory education curriculum on climate change.
The march, organised by the African Climate Alliance (ACA), follows the Fridays for Future youth climate protest which was started by 16-year-old Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg several months ago.
Shouts such as “hey hey, ho ho, fossil fuels have got to go”, “save our planet”, and “climate justice” were belted out by the protesters, most of them under 18.
Zoë Prinsloo, a youth member of the ACA who serves as their media liaison, said this was by far their most successful march.
“Being able to march through the streets and be so visible to the
public was incredibly impactful.
“The highlight for me was when we were marching through the streets singing our national anthem. I felt so incredibly proud,” she said.
Student body president of the ACA youth, Ruby Sampson, said what she enjoyed most was the diversity of the crowd; it truly represented South Africa, and showed that everyone is affected by the climate crisis.
“The march itself was incredible, such passion from so many youth.
“It was unbelievable that what we are fighting for is bigger than any one group, it affects all of us, and the march really showed that.
“There were speeches in Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans and English – it was beautiful and inclusive,” said Ruby, whose highlight was being able to formally tell the government about the demands of South African youth.
“I really hope that we made a mark and showed the government that we are growing and strengthening, while they sit and ignore the terrible truth.
“We will not stop until all of our demands are met,” she said.