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Cape Town beach-cleaner is the only South African to win a 2026 Diana Award

Zoe Prinsloo of Save a Fishie is the only South African among about 200 young people to receive a 2026 Diana Award.

· Updated · 1 min read
Zoe Prinsloo sitting in front of yellow bags of rubbish collected at a Save a Fishie clean-up
Zoe Prinsloo with rubbish collected at a Save a Fishie clean-up Save a Fishie

Zoe Prinsloo, the 24-year-old founder of the Cape Town marine conservation group Save a Fishie, has been named a 2026 Diana Award recipient. She is the only South African among about 200 young people from around the world honoured this year.

The Diana Award was set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and has recognised young people who make a difference in their communities for more than 25 years.

Prinsloo started Save a Fishie to protect marine life. The non-profit, based in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, runs beach clean-ups and teaches people about caring for the ocean. Its own materials list a Mayor's Medal, a Caroline Reid Award and a Paul Harris Fellowship among its earlier recognition.

"To be named a Diana Award recipient and to represent South Africa as the only recipient from our country in the 2026 cohort is an incredible honour," Prinsloo said.

"I have always believed that you don't have to be big to make big waves," she said. "This award may have my name on it, but the mission has always been bigger than me."

Save a Fishie says its work goes on: getting more people to care about marine life and to speak up for the ocean.

The 2026 Diana Awards ceremony can be watched on The Diana Award's YouTube channel, and this year's recipients are listed on its Roll of Honour.

In response to questions from Newzroom dot Africa, Zoe Prinsloo, Founder and CEO said on 9 November 2026: "Unfortunately there are no prize funds. We will use the Diana Award and the recognition it provides to hopefully secure more sponsors and funding to enable us to expand our reach into 2027."

Sources

Source: Save a Fishie

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