We joined a beach clean-up at Strand Beach in Somerset West organised by Halli Trust, followed by drumming and a spectacular fireshow – a perfect Helderberg community day.
If you have ever spent a breezy afternoon on Strand Beach, you know that the beauty of our coastline is something we often take for granted. It is easy to enjoy the surf and the sand, but it is another thing entirely to see other Helderbergers roll up their sleeves to keep it that way. On Sunday, 19 May 2024, my family and I headed down to the shore to join a beach clean-up organised by the Halli Trust, and I wanted to share why this particular day stayed with us long after the sun went down.
The setup was beautifully simple and a great way to get the community involved. All you had to do was grab a garbage bag, walk the stretch of the beach, and pick up whatever trash didn’t belong there. In exchange for filling a bag, participants were invited to stay for an “interactive drumming circle” and a spectacular fireshow. It turned a chore into a shared mission, and by the time we returned our bags, the atmosphere was buzzing with that unique Cape Town community spirit.
Rather than heading home straight away, we stayed on the beach to enjoy the evening. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, Strand Beach treated us to one of the most spectacular sunsets we’ve experienced here. It was the perfect pause between the afternoon’s beach clean-up and the evening’s entertainment, and one we’ll remember just as much as the event itself.
Finding the rhythm on the sand
While we didn’t quite manage to get our own hands on the drums this time, our little one jumped right in. There is something incredibly heartwarming about watching children connect with a rhythm they have helped create.
As more families gathered on the beach for the evening festivities, the sound of dozens of drums echoed across the shoreline. It was the perfect reward for the afternoon’s hard work and served as a reminder that taking care of our environment does not have to be a sombre task—it can be a celebration.
A fiery finale at Strand
The real highlight for us, however, was the “scantling” fireshow performed by The Fire Dancing Studio. As the sky turned that deep Helderberg purple, the dancers took to the sand. It was a mesmerising display of skill and light that felt like a fitting tribute to the clean beach behind us. Watching the flames dance against the backdrop of the ocean was a powerful way to end the day.
If you missed this one, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for future events by the Halli Trust. It is a wonderful way to teach the kids about conservation while enjoying the incredible talent we have right here in our own backyard. Sometimes, all it takes is a rubbish bag and a bit of rhythm to make a real difference.
2 Comments