Manar Elkebir
I am a National Geographic Young Explorer and a storyteller from Tunisia. I grew up in a coastal town shaped by the memory of an oasis that no longer flows, which sparked my deep curiosity about disappearing ecosystems and the human connection to nature.
My journey as a climate advocate began with grassroots campaigns in my hometown, educating local communities on plastic pollution and climate change. These early efforts earned me recognition as an Ocean Hero and a Global Leader of Solutions to Plastic Pollution by Algalita, as well as a Conrad Innovator award.
In 2019, I founded EcoWave, a youth-led organization that empowers young people to develop and implement local solutions to the water and climate crisis. Since then, I have worked with international institutions including the United Nations, IRENA, and National Geographic, using storytelling and youth engagement to drive sustainable change. I’ve had the honor of speaking at global platforms such as the UNFCCC COP conferences and other high-level events, where I continue to advocate for youth inclusion in decision-making spaces.
As a Darwin200 Leader, I am now documenting the story of the African Penguin, connecting it to the broader struggle to protect coastal ecosystems.
LOCATION: | Cape Town | AREA OF STUDY: | African Penguins |
NATIONALITY: | Tunesia | SPONSOR: | |
FILMMAKER: | Willem van den Heever |
START DATE: | 27th August |
END DATE: | 2nd September |
LOCATION: | Cape Town |
END POINT: | Tunesia |
AREA OF STUDY: | African Penguins |
SPONSOR: | |
FILMMAKER: | Willem van den Heever |
Area of Study: african penguins
Before this journey, I had never seen a penguin in my life. In this thrilling three-episode documentary project, I take you along on my journey as I follow the story of a critically endangered species: the African penguin.
Through this documentary, I aim to shed light on the drastic decline of Spheniscus demersus, a species found only in South Africa and Namibia. Through fieldwork at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Gansbaai, and interviews with local experts, I document how history, human exploitation, overfishing, and climate change have pushed this species to the edge—resulting in a 99% population decline.
At the same time, with captivating imagery and firsthand stories, the documentary highlights the critical work being done at APSS to protect the species—bringing hope through rehabilitation efforts, artificial nests, and community-led conservation initiatives.
This project aims to raise awareness, educate the public, and advocate for urgent conservation action. It is a call to protect not just the African penguin, but the future of marine biodiversity as a whole.
This Project Was Made Possible By:
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