Imagine this – a ship filled with young, talented scientists and activists from around the world, drawn together to address pressing environmental challenges. Except this is no eco-friendly fantasy, it’s very real. And it’s happening right now, on a tall ship moored at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. From now until the end of April, the three tall masts of the historic Oosterschelde schooner mark the South African home of Darwin200, a unique global environmental project and adventure. KAREN RUTTER stepped onboard to find out more:
The Oosterschelde is the flagship of Darwin200, a bold and visionary global expedition charting the iconic route of Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle – nearly 200 years after his seminal voyage. That around-the-world journey was instrumental in establishing Darwin as a groundbreaking naturalist, who spent much of the five-year trip cataloguing his discoveries. But this expedition is somewhat different – instead of recording the planet’s wonders, the team members are trying to save them.
As the schooner navigates the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern oceans during its two-year journey, at every port a new group of young Darwin Leaders boards the vessel – environmentalists under the age of 25 from across the world, who have already proved their passion for conservation challenges and are here to learn and contribute more. Thus far, the Oosterschelde has travelled over 36,250 nautical miles since leaving Plymouth, UK, in August 2023, and has hosted nearly one hundred Darwin Leaders from 37 countries. And now it is Africa’s turn.
Ten young scientists, activists, community leaders and conservation warriors have been partnered with South African organisations to experience immersive, hands-on science and nature experiences designed to empower Africa’s next generation of environmental leaders with the skills, networks, and boldness to drive real-world change.
Making a difference
“The leaders that have been chosen for Darwin200 are exceptional in many ways,” says Rolf Schreuder, Science Coordinator for Darwin200. “It’s not just that they have the academic qualifications, but they are already making a difference in their communities, and in the scientific world. And they are on a mission – they are the future of conservation.”
We’re chatting aboard the Oosterschelde as it sails from Cape Town harbour to Simonstown, where Darwin set foot in 1836 (and where a new bronze bust of the man has just been unveiled, as part of the Darwin200 activities). Also onboard are a number of the Darwin Leaders, many of whom are in Cape Town for the very first time. Whilst here, they will be working in a powerful series of conservation collaborations; leaders will rehabilitate endangered sea turtles with the Two Oceans Aquarium and join CapeNature to monitor the rare Cape Vulture and bolster the remarkable comeback of the Bontebok antelope. With Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, they’ll investigate the mysterious disappearance of great white sharks, aid in rescuing African penguins, and study coastal whale populations.
Additional projects include tackling baboon-human conflict in Cape Town with ICWild, exploring the decline of carnivorous plants in the fynbos biome, and assessing the impact of invasive species on the fragile freshwater ecosystems of Groen Vlei.
Sailing alongside the Table Mountain National Park as it winds its way to Cape Point, dolphins and seals escorting us along the way, formed the perfect backdrop to some wonderful conversations with the Darwin Leaders.
Leading the change
Yudmila Chuange is a marine biologist from Mocambique. While here, she will be working on the sea turtle rehabilitation project with the Two Oceans Aquarium. “I’m looking forward to expanding my skill set, and being part of a team. This experience will also help boost our outreach and training programmes back home, where we aim to empower local communities with the knowledge to monitor marine biodiversity,” she says.
Mauricette Rajaobelina from Madagascar will be partnered with ICWild in examining baboon-human conflict. “In Madagascar my focus is on lemurs, particularly at Andasi Be. I’m curious to explore the human-primate interaction you have here. And I’m keen to expand networking in the conservation community,” she says.
For Sharona Shnayder from Nigeria, her time here has been “life-changing” she says. She’s already been here for a week, focusing on the invasive carp project at Groen Vlei. “It’s been incredible – the situation at Groen Vlei was that the carp were creating a problem in the vlei. At the same time, the neighbouring community was experiencing food insecurity. The Gift of the Givers got involved, and together with Cape Nature, they have a solution where the carp are used as a food source. Working with the community, they have solved both a natural and a human challenge,” she explains.
Sharona, who is also a Nat Geo Explorer (as are several of the Darwin Leaders, I discover) is very involved in community issues at home. “I started something called Tuesdays for Trash, a grassroots environmental movement focused on picking up trash.” Currently, #TuesdaysforTrash spans six continents with participants in 60+ countries, 15 chapters and over 90,000 pounds of trash removed worldwide. “Being part of Darwin200 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And it enables a unique form of storytelling, which can be heard all over the planet,” she says.
Hope for the future
As part of the project, leaders are expected to make a short film of their experience, and create a photo-essay and report. The films are all accessible on YouTube.
Darwin Leader Manager Eduardo Villouta, speaks enthusiastically about the project. A keen sailor and a marine biologist, he “retired” in 2022 – and subsequently found his dream job, mentoring young Darwin200 scientists from round the world. “These are remarkable young people, and I believe they are going to make big changes. It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to play a role in their journey, to encourage them to take the initiative, to have confidence, to empower them. And of course, this is a great adventure, for all of us,” he smiles.
Manar Elkebir from Tunisia agrees. She has been out on Dyer Island with the African penguin project, and is fired with zeal at the time she has spent learning and sharing with new colleagues. “I want to help people see what is actually possible to do, as a community to help save the eco-system, “ she says. Back home, she started EcoWave, an NGO designed to beat plastic pollution and educate young people about climate change. “The world needs us,” the Nat Geo Explorer says.
Yes, we do. And it is remarkable initiatives like Darwin200 that are helping to support young environmentalists make the change the world needs.
As the Oosterschelde glides into Simonstown harbour at the end of a smooth day on the water, there is a sense of hope in the air. I cannot wait to watch what these eco warriors will do next.
Find out more: A programme of events coinciding with the Darwin200 and Oosterschelde arrival in Cape Town will take place at the V&A Waterfront:
- 24 April 2025 from 2 to 5pm – Open Day Oosterschelde, a chance to visit the schooner
- 24 April 2025 at 6pm – Opening of exhibition of original Darwin and evolution-themed artworks that will be displayed at the Art@Africa gallery throughout April 2025
- 26 April 2025 at 6.30pm – Darwin Leader conservation presentation at Two Oceans aquarium
Built in 1917, the Oosterschelde is the Netherlands’ largest restored freight schooner and the last surviving Dutch three-masted topsail schooner. With Rotterdam as her home port, she’s already conquered both poles and rounded the legendary Cape Horn. Now, as the proud flagship of Darwin200, she sails once more – powered by history, driven by hope.
Follow:
www.darwin200.com | www.dutchtallship.com
Instagram & Facebook: @Darwin200 | @Oosterschelde
Youtube: Watch videos
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