As South Africa ushers in a promising new era led by a Government National Unity, the nation’s focus on sustainable development has never been more critical.
Recognizing the vital role of youth in this arena, WWF South Africa today launched the “Believe in South Africa’s Youth” campaign, an initiative aimed at empowering young environmental leaders across the country.
In a country where the youth demographic is substantial, supporting these young visionaries at the forefront of environmental change is paramount. The campaign seeks to highlight their achievements and inspire collective action towards sustainability and conservation. Celebrating Young Environmental Leaders The campaign will spotlight several young South Africans whose innovative initiatives are making significant impacts:
• Dean Carlisle – Change Maker At 21, Dean Carlisle founded Lessons in Conservation to educate schools in impoverished areas about the importance of nature. His efforts have reached over 8,500 children across 110 schools in 11 African countries.
• Esethu Cenga – Big Thinker Esethu Cenga co-founded Rewoven Africa; a startup dedicated to recycling textiles to combat fashion waste. Her work advocates for sustainable practices that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet over profits.
• Didi Mathibe – Future Leader as a Circular Economy Analyst with WWF South Africa, Didi Mathibe focuses on keeping plastics out of nature through sustainable design, consumption, and waste reduction, advancing the country towards a circular economy.
• Jade Bothma – Action Taker At just 15, Jade Bothma founded Oceano Reddents, a non-profit organization turning ocean plastic litter into eco-bricks for building houses, addressing both plastic pollution and housing issues with her deep passion for the sea. Commenting on this campaign, from Justin Smith, Head of Business Development WWF South Africa-” As South Africa embarks on a new chapter of unity and progress, the youth stand as beacons of hope and innovation.
The ‘Believe in South Africa’s Youth’ campaign is dedicated to shining a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of our young environmental champions. By fostering and celebrating their efforts, we aim to galvanize a nationwide movement towards sustainability. Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today. It’s our duty and privilege to support their journey and amplify their voices in the fight for a sustainable future.
” Nominate Local Heroes As part of this campaign, WWF South Africa is inviting the public to nominate young environmental leaders who are making a difference in their communities.
By recognizing the young change makers in our communities, South Africans can help encourage the innovative leaders that we need for the future.
Competition Details
1. Nomination Period: June 11 to July 11, 2024.
2. How to Nominate:
o Post a photo or video of the nominee on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter).
o Include a description of their contributions to environmental sustainability.
o Use the hashtags #SAYouthForNature and #BelieveInYouth.
o Tag WWF South Africa’s official account.
3. Weekly Prizes: Each week, a nominator and their nominee will be selected. o Nominator Prize: R1000 WWF voucher. o Nominee Prize: R3000 in cash.
4. Winner Announcements: Weekly on WWF South Africa’s social media channels and website.
5. Eligibility: Open to all South African residents, with nominees aged 13 to 25. For more information on the campaign and how to participate, visit WWF South Africa’s campaign page. Join the conversation on social media using #SAYouthForNature and #BelieveInYouth.