Local teen James Pringle from Somerset West will soon be jetting off on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration trip to the majestic ice-covered continent of Antarctica; an experience which, he tells Bolander, days before his departure; still seems very surreal.
The Grade 11 pupil from Parel Vallei High School entered the 2023 Matrics in Antarctica (MIA) Competition and is now one of the top 5 winners.
He entered the competition after hearing about it from a friend. “It was this amazing opportunity and to even think about it was compelling that this would even be possible,” he says.
In answer to what about the competition he found difficult he says the video portion of the competition since the criteria were to submit a 2-minute video and editing and trimming his video (into which he poured his heart into) was quite challenging and cutting out so many parts was a painful exercise.
James excelled and is now one of five young South Africans fortunate enough to join renowned explorer, Riaan Manser on this annual educational expedition.
“Waiting on the announcement was a nerve-wracking experience but as soon as I heard my name, I was ecstatic, it feels incredibly surreal,” he says.
James, has since a young age been passionate about environmental issues, with global warming and reducing the use of fossil fuels topping the list of his concerns.
“I’ve always been passionate about nature and I can remember the droughts which happened in 2016 and the incredibly devastating effects it had on our family’s farm and the issue of droughts stems directly from climate change. That was a major eye-opener for me.”
Since then, James is passionately committed to raising awareness about climate change and global warming. This ties in with his motivation to go on this trip. “I will be going to the place in the world that is most affected by global warming and its important to go there and really see what is happening.”
His view is that society often still perceive global warming and its effects to be some far off issue, not affecting or directly impacting their actual daily lives.
He admits that seeing the first-hand effects of brought on by global warming like the melting glaciers and other devastation will be sad to see, but it believes it will equip him with adequate insight and information to come back and spread the message fervently.
“I hope to gain a surge of knowledge when it comes to what is happening in our world. It will give me a lot of information, but also insight.”
This young environmental activist’s mission is clear, to return with a wealth of knowledge on how people can make a change. A collective stance and approach he believe is needed to tackle the environmental issues.
“My message is that while this issue may not affect you directly now, it’s one that will not stop or slow down unless you start to make changes and do something about it; all of us together will make a difference.”
Immediate changes people can make in local communities he says, is to decrease fuel consumption. “I think for us reducing our fuel consumption will be one of the greatest efforts we can make to lessen the effect of climate change.
“If we could eradicate the use of fossil fuels and replace it with renewable energy this is something which is possible it can be done, especially in first world countries, so I think this is something we need to focus our attention on more.”
Based on this objective, his advice closer to home is for people to make, easy, attainable changes.
“The most effective thing you can do is to walk or cycle to more places instead of driving in your car and try to make your home and living spaces as sustainable as possible,” he prompts locals.
His mom, Pippa says they as proud of their son’s dedication to conservation initiatives and on winning the competition.
She says, they as parents did not in any way assist him with the competition process or requirements, but it was something James accomplished on his own, an achievement they are immensely proud of.
“My husband (Alderman Stuart Pringle) and I have not been involved at all.”
She acknowledges how fortunate James is to at such a young age, be able to tick off an universal ‘bucket list’ item which thousands of people around the world can only dream of.
In response to how the family is feeling ahead of James going on this epic trip, she says. “It’s actually a roller-coaster of mixed emotions.
“When James told me that he entered a competition to win a trip to Antarctica (he casually mentioned this while driving back from a visit to his grandparents’ farm in Oudshoorn) it caught me off guard, but at the same time it filled me with pride.”
But they are overjoyed that he made it this far. “We’re very proud of James and its amazing to be there for him during this incredible experience; even though the reality of it all is still sinking in.”
“It made me realise my little boy is getting big and becoming a young independent adult and he is taking on this initiative to change the world and raise global awareness.” She credits world famous activist Gretha Thunberg for serving as inspiration and leading the way.
“What Riaan Manser and his team are doing is phenomenal,” she says.
James leaves for the all-inclusive trip with Mr Manser and the team on Wednesday December 6 to December 13.
With logistics taken care of, James is preparing for the trip by ensuring that he gets enough rest, eats healthy, balances his social interaction, and ensuring that his fitness levels are maintained. All things he is doing in order to make sure he is in a good headspace.
He doesn’t foresee the overseas trip to be a challenge, as he had been away on international school trips before. “I am though a bit scared to be so far away from civilisation, so that’s definitely going to be other than the norm in society and a bit strange but I know its not just a barren wasteland, so I’m excited to explore and learn more.”
Aspects of the trip he looks forward to including experiencing snow for the first time, seeing penguins (Antarctica is home to several types) and other aquatic and land animals unique to the region. Another unique aspect he looks forward to is landing in Antarctica, where in the absence of a landing strip, aeroplanes are forced to land on ice; an unconventional, possibly nail-biting experience he thinks will turn out to be quite interesting.
Information on www.matricsinantarctica.co.za reveals the team of young explorers will during their six day stay partake in informative activities including hiking, exploring the areas mountain ranges, land, water bodies, doing science experiments, and partaking in clean-up operations.
James anticipates the highlight of the trip to be learning from the experts and is not oblivious to the magnitude and impact of the life-long knowledge he is set to gain from the trip.
“Being able to interact with some of the researchers there who has such a huge influence and approach on the issue of climate change. I know this will be an incredibly enlightening and enriching experience,” he says.
Another activity he looks forward to is the construction of the solar panel on the trip.
Mr Manser, explorer and founder of the MIA initiative provided more detail on this addition to this year’s trip.
“What makes this year’s trip extra extraordinary is that the 5 winners will be assisting in the installation of an ACDC Dynamics solar system, making our camp a bit greener.”
Mr Manser tells Bolander more on how the idea for MIA came about. “It was during full Covid lockdown that Matrics in Antarctica was created. When lockdown was semi-lifted, and travel was possible, we sprung into action and made the impossible happen by taking 5 students to Antarctica.
“My belief is that everybody talks about saving the environment, but how many actually go out and do something about it? So, we as MIA influence the youth who will one day be sitting in boardrooms making decisions,” he adds.
Since its launch in 2020, Mr Manser says the competition (which any high school pupil in the country can enter) has grown annually in interest and the quality of entrants. He says: “The quality of students that apply is astounding and makes selecting only 5 winners a tough challenge.”
The ideal being for participants to upon their return, act and implement changes within their own communities to make a tangible difference to the environment.
One of the former explorers, Mr Manser reveals, Ayakha Melithafa, currently serves in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s climate council.
Although in Antarctica its now the start of summer, Mr Manser explains all activities are weather dependent.
Mr Manser’s goal for James and the other participants, with this year’s trip is clear. “To give these 5 students this once-in-a-lifetime experience and get them to go from talking to doing.”
