Zandisile Howe is a trailblazer in climate action, representing the Hhohho region as a member of the Eswatini Climate Change Youth Parliament and a key figure in Hlumisa Eswatini, a youth climate network. As an alumnus of NSSCJ Cohort III, Zandisile embodies how the program fuels young people to become change-makers in their communities.
“Climate change is a cross-cutting issue that affects everyone. For meaningful climate action to happen, collaboration between institutions has to be deliberately nurtured. The Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice has instilled in me the spirit of partnership in driving sustainable climate action,” she states. Since her involvement with NSSCJ, she has collaborated with various key institutions such as UNESCO Eswatini to empower youth in environmental initiatives.
Insha Nemvelo: A Platform for Change
Zandisile’s remarkable journey continues with the founding of “Insha Nemvelo,” a social platform dedicated to sharing opportunities for young people in Eswatini within the climate space. The group, now comprising 319 passionate individuals, serves as a hub for young people to collaborate and share solutions to the environmental issues the country faces. These initiatives provide young people with a platform to hone their skills, participate in national and regional climate dialogues and share innovative ideas.
Beyond resource sharing, “Insha Nemvelo” has played a vital role in mobilizing youth action. The group actively participated in the eNtsatsama Clean-Up Campaign, conducted with the Eswatini Environmental Authority and Eswatini Tourism, addressing illegal waste dumping around water sources in local communities.
Leadership and Green Empowerment
In her expanded role as the Director for EcoHarmony Eswatini, a registered youth-led NGO focused on waste management and the circular economy, Zandisile continues to make significant contributions. Recently, EcoHarmony facilitated an SDG Walk in the Lubombo Biosphere Reserve, further promoting environmental awareness. The organization also conducted a social media campaign on the impacts of plastic pollution on humans and the environment which was recognised by the Eswatini National Commission for UNESCO.
Zandisile played a key role in facilitating a youth workshop focused on climate resilience, particularly in water harvesting techniques for young farmers. This workshop was part of the Small and Medium Earth Dams Project, funded by the European Union in Eswatini. In addition to her facilitation work, Zandisile is a freelance writer for the Times of Eswatini, the country’s leading national newspaper. Her articles on climate change and youth engagement demonstrate her ability to effectively communicate complex climate concepts to a wide audience, reaching diverse communities across Eswatini.
Moderating Climate Justice Discussions
Zandisile’s commitment to climate justice extends beyond Eswatini; she has moderated the Nairobi Summer School climate justice series on Twitter, facilitating valuable conversations and knowledge-sharing among young Africans across the continent. These platforms have enabled the exchange of experiences and insights gained from NSSCJ III, contributing to a broader dialogue on climate justice in Africa.
As a co-host of the successful Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Southern Africa, where she served as a lead organizer, Zandisile has further amplified the voices of young people in climate discussions.
A Vision for the Future
Zandisile’s journey showcases the transformative power of youth leadership in the fight against climate change. Her efforts, from facilitating critical discussions to empowering young people and driving climate action, serve as an inspiration to youth worldwide. As she looks to the future, Zandisile plans to continue connecting with other young Africans for cross-border climate action, such as the youth task force on climate action for southern africa. She firmly believes that despite Eswatini being a small country, young Swazis can inspire climate action with a global impact.
Zandisile Howe is a testament to the potential of young leaders to effect positive change in the world, reminding us that every effort counts in the pursuit of a sustainable and resilient future.