Summertide takes place in gorgeous Simon's Town, home to a vast array of magnificent ocean life including the star of the town, the African penguin. Our resident marine biologist Martin Field dives deep into marine conservation and fishing regulations and must face the struggles that come with it. Meanwhile, his daughter Lucy has grown very fond of the penguins that inhabit the shores – especially one she's called Nala – and wants to learn more about them. Let's learn along with her.
Did you know?
This species of penguin is only found in Africa.
They were once called jackass penguins, not because they are mischievous but because they make loud, donkey-like braying noises. However, they are now called African penguins.
These creatures are known to be pursuit divers and have a good diet of pelagic fish, crustaceans, and squid.
They can gain weight and lose it in just a matter of weeks. This is done during the moulting season.
The African penguin has an average lifespan of 10 to 27 years in the wild.
There are currently 28 wild African penguin colonies. They are an endangered species, so conservation is important. If you see them, do take pictures, but don't disturb them.
Here's a video of them on Boulders Beach.
Next time you're in Simon's Town, pop over to Boulders Beach to get a glimpse of the magnificent African penguin. Watch out for them in Summertide on Sundays at 18:00 on M-Net 101. You can also watch on DStv Stream. Join the conversation on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok using #SummertideSA.