Our team

Coming from an under-resourced community in Paarl, Wade didn’t have much exposure to the ocean growing up because he lived so far away from it. He was the first in his household and the first of his friends to go to a university. During his course in marine science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology he began to understand the processes in the ocean, the different species found there and their adaptations, and the benefits people gain from the sea. It was there that he first experienced doing lab work, such as dissections and chemistry and physics experiments. He made sure to get as much exposure to the marine environment as possible to nurture and expand his passion for the ocean. He also attended beach clean-ups and volunteered at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

Wade completed his Diploma in Marine Science, and during his time working at the SOSF Shark Education Centre while still a student he realised that education in the field of marine science is crucial, especially for the communities of colour that he comes from. He believes many people have a misperception when it comes to the ocean. Often when they hear the word ‘science’, people are overwhelmed because of the way science is introduced to them.

Wade told himself that maybe if there were ways to simplify the information or make it relatable to communities of colour, it would be easier to connect them to the ocean or get them interested in learning about it. His main aim is to reconnect these communities to the ocean and nature in general. He also wants to break down the barriers that were created by the apartheid system for these communities, especially through education.

Wade connected his own community with nature by initiating clean-ups along Paarl’s Berg River, with the aim of creating a sense of stewardship. He is also a dancer, mainly Krump, and taught choreography in his community before moving to the Cape Peninsula. Wade believes that dance, as well as other forms of art, can be used to share messages, especially about environmental awareness.