MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Friday Rant – Sea Faring Litterbugs

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On a recent overnight trip to Bird Island I was pleased to discover that officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs rate Bird Island as the cleanest island along the South African coastline.

No, this is not because people litter less in Algoa Bay, but because the custodians of the Bird Island Marine Protected Area – the Addo Elephant National Park do twice daily sweeps of the island’s perimeter to pick up any flotsam and jetsam that washes up.

Next time you toss something overboard spare a thought for the environment.

One of the more disturbing items that the Addo Rangers picked up recently was this dread-locked ‘Chucky’ doll that we named Mrs Hansen.

Mrs Hansen
“Mrs Hansen” – Just who has such a doll on-board their vessel and WHY? Photo: Fayroush Luddick SANPARKS

The wife of the island keeper, Mrs Hansen is said to have become depressed at living in such extreme isolation. Then one day, her body was discovered in a well near the lighthouse. While the story dates from 1908, many believe her spirit still wanders there, and some accounts claim to have seen the ghost of a woman.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.