Cape Town - Grade 7 Generation Schools pupil Latita Liebenberg is over the moon after being selected to feature in an educational animated series about environmental conservation.
CapeNature in partnership with Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will today launch the new series “LoveNature with Mbali” starring Liebenberg as 13-year-old nature lover, Mbali.
The entertaining series has been aligned with the Grade 4 to 7 Natural Sciences and Technology lesson plans, and will effectively support learners whose home language is English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans.
It includes environment, water, waste, species conservation and energy themes.
“When I got the phone call to say that I would be taking the role of Mbali I was extremely excited. Going through the different episodes it became clear that our planet was in real trouble.
“I realised I could be a voice for my generation to teach them about the environmental impact they have on our planet,” said Liebenberg.
Liebenberg said from a young age she has always been an animal and nature lover, and was honoured to be chosen for Mbali’s role.
“The environment needs to be looked after because all life on earth will be affected if we don’t.”
CapeNature’s chief executive Dr Razeena Omar said the series was developed when the need arose to educate pupils about environmental conservation through online and other non-contact platforms following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
“The series has since grown into much more, as the need for resource material became apparent through engagements with the WCED and other partners.
“Each English episode is also available with Afrikaans and isiXhosa subtitles, a first for us,” said Omar.
She said they had to think out of the box in terms of how to reach children with these valuable life science lessons which are aligned with their curriculum.
Western Cape Head of Education Brent Walters said the scientific content addressed will also assist in generating interest in the various fields of science.
“The series of animated videos will encourage the learners to practice, share and advocate matters of conservation, environmental awareness and sustainability to their communities that might not have access to this information. Every learner can be a Love Nature ambassador such as Mbali,” he said.
More details on how the series can be accessed will be shared at the launch on Friday.
Cape Times