Two Oceans Aquarium OGs look back on our 30-year history
In November this year, the Two Oceans Aquarium is turning 30! This is a momentous occasion and one that sparks reflection on the past three decades of conservation, education, and awareness. In honour of this significant milestone, we’re shining a light on a few of our longest-serving staff members – Msa Maseko, Bianca Engel, and Michael Farquhar.
Msa, Bianca, and Michael have all worked at the Two Oceans Aquarium for over 20 years, a remarkable achievement.
Let’s learn a bit more from these three OGs…
How and when did your Two Oceans Aquarium journey begin?
Msa: In November 2004, I started looking for a job as my workplace (the Chavonnes Battery Museum) was closing. Someone told me about the Two Oceans Aquarium and that they typically take on extra staff for the busy festive season. I’d never been to this aquarium, or any aquarium, in my life. But I brought my CV... and the rest is history! I have been the Floor Manager for about 10 years.
Michael: It began before the Two Oceans Aquarium opened – I volunteered as a diver and general “dog’s body”, helping to clean tanks and look after the fish in the holding facility before the Aquarium was ready to receive them. In April 1997, I joined the Two Oceans Aquarium as an official staff member – as an Aquarist, I looked after the Kelp Forest and water quality. Since then, I have held several positions, including Senior Aquarist, Operations Manager, Assistant Curator, and General Curator in 2003. I held that position until 2016 when I took over from Dr Pat Garrat as the CEO.
Bianca: My Two Oceans Aquarium journey started in December 1997 – I was part of the second-ever intake of volunteers to the newly constructed Aquarium. Later, I started casual work in the now I&J Children’s Play Centre doing puppet shows, storytime, face painting, and crafts with visiting families. I officially joined the staff in April 1998 as part of the Education team. Since then, I’ve worked in various roles, including outreach teaching, creating holiday programmes, working on enrichment courses, and many more.
Can you share a memorable Two Oceans Aquarium milestone that you were a part of?
Msa: In 2012, the Two Oceans Aquarium hosted the International Aquarium Congress – this was the first time the event was held in the southern hemisphere and on African soil. 350 delegates from aquariums around the world visited the Two Oceans Aquarium!
Michael: The release of ragged-tooth shark Maxine in 2004 kicked off our shark tagging and release programme. We had previously never contemplated, let alone undertaken, the removal of a 200kg shark from the exhibit. Maxine’s release went very well, and in the succeeding five years, we tagged and released a ragged-tooth shark each year. This brought us in close contact with leading shark scientists and marine tagging experts like Dr Malcolm Smale and Mike Meyer, laying the foundation for future research work and involvement in the South African marine science community.
Bianca: There are so many to choose from! My top four are the first shark tag and release I joined in Struisbaai, saying goodbye to Yoshi the loggerhead turtle after 20 years at the Aquarium, breaking ground on construction of the I&J Ocean Exhibit, and having Marine Sciences accepted as an additional subject for FET learning.
What do you love most about your current position?
Msa: I love being part of a team that cares so much about the environment and, of course, our visitors.
Michael: Undoubtedly, the honour of being given the opportunity to lead the most remarkable, passionate, and dedicated team imaginable. The team runs one of the best aquariums in the world – they make my job easy and hugely rewarding.
Bianca: My current position as the Deputy Head of Ocean Campus includes mentoring and supporting education staff. This includes assisting with teaching school groups in our classrooms, interacting with adult groups, and teaching Marine Sciences online. In all this, I love interacting with people and sharing my passion for the ocean and environment with others.
How has working at the Two Oceans Aquarium influenced your understanding of the ocean?
Msa: In a way that I wouldn’t have known if I was not here. The ocean is a source of everything, from food to a temperature regulator. I mean, the list is endless.
Michael: On a global level, attending the International Aquarium Congresses, interacting with aquarium people from around the world, and hearing their ocean perspectives and stories have been particularly enlightening. We can easily get stuck in our own worlds and only hear our local perspective.
Bianca: As an educator, I am always learning. It has deepened my understanding of important processes in the ocean and their importance for our survival, not just in terms of food but also oxygen and carbon sequestration.
How have you seen the Two Oceans Aquarium impact the community over the years?
Msa: It is inspiring to see different communities getting involved and supporting our programmes, like beach cleanups. The other way I’ve seen impact is through our Ocean Campus, where young minds are influenced to care for the ocean.
Michael: The impact has been huge – we have truly grown into a trusted Cape Town institution in so many spheres. When I arrived, the Aquarium was receiving 10 000 to 15 000 schoolchildren a year. Our Ocean Campus now sees 15 000 ECD groups in our I&J Children’s Play Centreevery year and another 45 000 through our classrooms.
Bianca: I see the impact of the Aquarium when I meet students who have done one or more enrichment courses with us. It is wonderful to see how this has influenced their choice of career.
What excites you about the Two Oceans Aquarium’s future?
Msa: The endless possibilities.
Michael: With our Foundation coming into its own, the visitation base we have, and the exciting development plans on the table, we are poised to do remarkable things. And, with our passionate, engaged, and motivated staff, anything is possible.
Bianca: So much! What is exciting about the Two Oceans Aquarium is that it is always striving to improve the impact we have. I am excited about the new classrooms and dedicated ECD teaching space.
What is your favourite marine plant or animal, and why?
Msa: A sea star, as it symbolises healing and renewal. This animal can even regenerate lost limbs. This takes a very long time, so it confirms that patience is indeed a virtue!
Michael:White musselcracker – they are a beautiful and endemic top predator of inshore reefs all along the south coast. Relatively little is known about their movement and breeding. The air of mystery only adds to their appeal.
Bianca: My favourite marine animal is the nudibranch (sea slug) because of its beautiful colours, which indicate that they are unpalatable. They recycle the stinging cells of their prey species (hydroids and other Cnidarians) as their protection – nature’s innovation!
The Two Oceans Aquarium has many stories like those of Msa, Michael, and Bianca – past and present staff members who have dedicated years of their lives to the Aquarium and its inhabitants, becoming more like family than colleagues. What an incredible tale – we are excited for many more years with our Aquarium family!
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