South Africa’s most prominent youth climate activist, Ayakha Melithafa along with fellow YouLead Warriors celebrated the completion of their year-long YouLead program at an event in Khayelithsa on the 26 October 2019. The YouLead Initiative is a youth project run by local environmental justice NPO Project 90 by 2030.
For the past 9 months, fifteen ‘warriors’ from Khayelitsha – selected from an initial intake of 40 young people – have actively participated in learning about climate change and the impact it has on people and the planet, through a number of experiential activities. These included learning about Climate Activism and participating in peaceful protests; Leadership Nature Hikes with partners Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET); Practical Solar Technology learnings with partners Engineers Without Borders UCT; Powerful Communication Skills training; Community Service including a permaculture gardening course with Soil for Life; and regular Physical Activity with our partners Catch 22 Ultimate Frisbee. The program is aimed at increasing these youth’s confidence, leadership and team-building skills – and of course has ensured they are fully climate-literate.
Project 90 by 2030 partners with the internationally recognised President’s Award for Youth Empowerment which has ensured that our young leaders are #WorldReady upon completion of the program.
At the event which took place at the Harare Public Library in Khayelitsha, YouLead Warriors received their certificates of completion in an emotional ceremony where they were showered with tributes from YouLead Mentors and parents. The Centre for Science and Technology (COSAT) Principal Mrs. Cooper, told the audience: “The YouLead Initiative positively influences these young people in so many different and beneficial ways.”
Three young climate activists from COSAT (and YouLead graduates) Lisakhanya Mathiso, Lihle Fiona Booi and Ayakha Melithafa – received awards for their involvement in the African Climate Alliance – a youth organisation advocating for climate justice in South Africa. YouLead Warrior Siphokazi Kumbuza from Manyano HS, received a special bursary towards her education in 2020 for her outstanding commitment as a YouLead Warrior throughout the entire programme.
YouLead Warriors will receive their Bronze President’s Award on the 22 November 2019 at a gala Presidents’ Award ceremony at the V&A Waterfront, and will then be able to go on to their Silver and Gold Awards, which hugely boosts their chances for future employment.
