It is no surprise that Zamahlubi Mthimkhulu’s favourite colour is blue: she is obsessed with the ocean and was called a fish when she was little as nobody could lure her out the water once she was splashing about.  

Today she has an Honours degree in Marine Biology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has been placed with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) for her internship Zama will work as a zoologist and statistician, tracking marine mortality events along the country and continent’s coastlines.  

We wanted to gain insight into what drives Zamahlubi and what her dreams are for the future: 

What are you passionate about?  

I have been in love with nature and the outdoors since I was a little girl growing up in Durban. I was always at the beach or swimming at home or school and am captivated by the extreme beauty of creation. 

What inspired your choice of study? 

Biology was one of my favourite subjects at school. I wanted to know more about the environment, especially the ocean, so I studied Marine Biology. During this time, I discovered that I have a tremendous passion for biodiversity, the ocean and the conservation of our unique marine creatures.  

What excites you about your internship? 

It excites me to know that I will be meeting new people in various fields that are different from, but aligned with, the marine world. I am excited by how we can come together in the world of science and biology. 

What are your expectations of this internship? 

I expect to gain more knowledge in the field of biology and be exposed to new things that are not in university curricula. I am hoping it will augment my decision to work in this field and motivate me to go further.  

What contribution do you hope to make towards a future in which people and nature thrive? 

I hope to contribute by joining many initiatives and organisations that focus on conserving South Africa’s biodiversity. I want to be a voice for the youth when it comes to saving biodiversity for future generations. 

Who inspires you most and why? 

My mother inspires me the most. I have never seen her give up on anything, and she has always taught me that whatever path I take, I should never forget where I come from and that I should walk that path with God.