As part of the HWPL Peace My City Campaign, youth leaders, environmental activists, and community members took part in a coastal clean-up at Sunset Beach in Cape Town, reinforcing shared goals of environmental protection, peacebuilding, and community responsibility.
The initiative was held on Saturday, 31 January 2026 from 09:00 to 11:00 and was hosted and organised by Hotlane Organisation in partnership with the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG). It responded to growing concerns around coastal pollution, particularly during peak tourism season.
Participants included youth volunteers, IPYG and HWPL volunteers, ECOP workers, and members of the public, all working together to help restore the beach environment through coordinated clean-up efforts.
The programme was led by Hotlane Organisation founder Mr Khotso Mogotlane alongside Ms Marie Claire Tshizala, Project Coordinator at Africa Unite. Volunteers were taken through an introductory session on the Peace My City initiative and the importance of youth-led peacebuilding before beginning the clean-up activities along the coastline.
Aligned with the Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) framework, the initiative highlighted the link between environmental stewardship and peacebuilding, with organisers emphasising that protecting shared natural spaces can support social cohesion and long-term sustainability. The involvement of ECOP (Early Career Ocean Professionals) workers also ensured that the clean-up complemented broader waste management efforts.
Support for the initiative included contributions from Plastics SA, which donated trash bags, and Aquelle, which provided water for volunteers. Youth from IPYG, Africa Unite, and Hotlane Organisation worked alongside one another in a coordinated effort to remove litter and restore the beachfront.
A participant, Lasconnie from Africa Unite’s volunteer MARS movement, said, “I’m very happy that I got to be a part of this initiative. This is my first time actually coming to volunteer and clean up the beach. It was a very good experience and I really enjoyed it. I think inner peace is the best peace ever. So, once I have peace within myself, then I’m able to have peace with my community, my family and my environment.”
The clean-up not only reduced waste along Sunset Beach but also encouraged youth participation in environmental volunteerism and strengthened collaboration between local organisations.
Through initiatives such as this, the Peace My City campaign continues to promote the idea that peace is practiced through collective action, community engagement, and care for the environment.
