An ocean adventure with Zandi

Karen Watkins|Published 1 year ago

Wearing her mermaid outfit, ocean conservationist and free-diving instructor Zandi Ndhlovu read her new book, Zandi’s Song, to a captive audience.

Ocean conservationist and free-diving instructor Zandi Ndhlovu, of Capri, read her new children’s book, Zandi’s Song, to a captive audience of budding oceanographers on Saturday at the V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books.

The book, which is available in five South African languages, is about our connection to the natural world, following your dreams and caring for the environment.

Illustrated by Katlego “Kat” Keokgale, the story is about Zandi, a girl who dreams of the big blue ocean and bright colourful fish even though she lives far away from the sea and hasn’t learnt to swim. One day the sea gives her a gift that changes everything.

Ms Ndhlovu, 28, is the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, an organisation seeking to create diverse representation in the ocean arena. Every weekend, she picks up children from Langa and takes them to the sea for snorkelling, teaching them about conservation, coastal and marine pollution and recycling.

Nnana Mamatshele, of Sandown, with her son, Marang, 11, and daughter, Mathabo, 4.

Enjoying the cupcakes, Muhammad Immad Asra, 6, with Isra Abbas, 3, from Kenwyn.

Inam Qoma, of Sunningdale, with her Thongo, 3.

Tessa Tuttle, of Muizenberg, with her son, Elliot, 8.

Author Zandi Ndhlovu with Ruth Doetz, of Burgundy Estate, and her daughter, Anouk, 3.

Naledi, 3, with her parents, Hannah and Pule Taukobong, of Camps Bay.

Aaron Douglas-Jones, 22 months, of Mowbray, gets to grips with the new book.