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MISS EARTH SOUTH AFRICA
BELINDÉ SCHREUDER
DESCRIBE YOUR CHILDHOOD/GROWING YEARS
Born in Lephalale, Limpopo, I spent my formative years with my grandfather in Bela Bela. I grew up surrounded by nature and animals. My profound connection with wildlife and agriculture began to take route. I lost my grandfather in 2019, this was heart wrenching. I pay homage to his memory by embracing the lessons he shared with me.
WHAT IS YOUR MEMORABLE MOMENT?
As a child growing up on a farm, I had many memorable moments. My childhood days were very colourful and filled with excitement.
My brother and I used to stand in fresh cow dung to warm our feet, believe it or not.
I learnt to drive a tractor at the age of 9 years.
I had to scrub the inside of the water tank, which would take me 3 days to finish, as a child on a farm, you had to learn to pull your weight. We never had a swimming pool, as children we used to swim in the dam, which had an island in the centre. I remember trying to save my brother because his tube broke, and landed up with him half drowning me. I will always remember our pumpkin growing competitions, the objective was too grow the largest pumpkin in South Africa.
I had to scrub the inside of the water tank, which would take me 3 days to finish, as a child on a farm, you had to learn to pull your weight. We never had a swimming pool, as children we used to swim in the dam, which had an island in the centre. I remember trying to save my brother because his tube broke, and landed up with him half drowning me. I will always remember our pumpkin growing competitions, the objective was too grow the largest pumpkin in South Africa.
ANY SPECIAL STORIES OR FACTS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
I was born into 2 of the largest families in South Africa. My grandfather was one of 18 children, and my grandmother was one of 15. When we started school we had to stand on a chair, place our left hand over our right ear and recite all the names of our family, if we got it wrong, we were not ready to go to school.Family gatherings are quite a challenge; everyone is related to you and you don’t even know them, it’s hectic.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE?
I participated in a runway show at the top of the Macau Sky Tower, in the People’s Republic of China. This was done at a height of 233 metres above ground. This was an unbelievable opportunity and a bucket list occasion.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE TO PROMOTE ECOTOURISM & CLIMATE CHANGE?
Eco tourism is a great way to create awareness for your country and for climate change. South Africa has a wealth of wildlife, fauna and flora, with exceptional biodiversity. If we promote these elements, eco-tourism naturally follows off of this. At the same time by trying to look after our tourism sector, we have to look after our natural environment and thus work towards controlling climate change. We are each responsible for protecting our environment and we need to stand up together to do this with one voice.
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY?
I am very proud of the people that make up our nation. We are a very young country with no background and resources to draw upon. As a people we look at what will work, we acknowledge our errors, and work together to improve things for the future. I see South Africa as a country moving forward.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVOCACY?
I am very passionate about conservation, planting trees and air quality.
South Africa is known for its wildlife, more specifically the Big 5 (Lion, Cheetah, Cape Buffalo, Rhino and Elephants). Rhinos and Elephants are being poached for their horns and ivory, as a result of a myth that there are medicinal uses.
Trees are our allies. They absorb CO2 while providing us with life giving oxygen. Trees are the lungs of the Earth and because of deforestation we have lost natural habitat and carbon sinks.
South Africa’s coal-belts are hidden from view for the majority of South Africans, it is thus easy to pretend that they don’t exist. However, the reality is that coal extraction and burning has devastating impacts on the people living in the area and surrounding cities.
I believe that education can have a huge impact on the world and help save our planet. It is easier to protect and nurture nature if you understand it. I have started a series of books for the youth that I hope will create awareness and knowledge, Eco-Heroes of Savannah land.
I strongly promote #WasteStopsWithME as I believe we each have something to offer.
Trees are our allies. They absorb CO2 while providing us with life giving oxygen. Trees are the lungs of the Earth and because of deforestation we have lost natural habitat and carbon sinks.
South Africa’s coal-belts are hidden from view for the majority of South Africans, it is thus easy to pretend that they don’t exist. However, the reality is that coal extraction and burning has devastating impacts on the people living in the area and surrounding cities.
I believe that education can have a huge impact on the world and help save our planet. It is easier to protect and nurture nature if you understand it. I have started a series of books for the youth that I hope will create awareness and knowledge, Eco-Heroes of Savannah land.
I strongly promote #WasteStopsWithME as I believe we each have something to offer.