Shebeen of Khayelitsha - Thakhani Rayofafrica (South Africa)

Buzzing naval drones startle me every time, mistook them for danger. As a microplastics cleaner volunteer, I’m just as worried of the same people these drones hunt. They scan me until they’re satisfied I’m no threat. Naval drones can’t always keep us volunteers safe, from Cape Town’s gangs-turned-pirates. They’ve established their territories on our once poorly protected Southern ocean. We also fear them taking our tech. Opportunists. The sun caresses my skin and I smile at my two BFF, the bionic flying fish. Altered descendants of the famous Atlantic flying fish species who’ve adapted here since the oceans warmed. I begin applying my face paint. Tradition. It’s as my Amaxhosa ancestors used to living near the coast of the Eastern Cape Province. It’ll be scorching hot soon. Life in 2073. Last night, after finishing my Marine Biotechnology research on bionic flying fish, I concocted this traditional white paste. I start applying the paste, looking carefully at my phone’s front camera.