One community at a time, says Miss Earth SA Runner-Up
- Wits University
“I choose to be an ear and eye for the environment, educating my peers and working together to find solutions,” says eco-warrior and third-year student.
What began in high school as part of a crop of energetic teens reporting environmental stories of their communities has grown into a fully-fledged passion.
Thembi Mathebula, a Bachelor of Arts student and Miss Earth SA third runner-up, made her first real connection with nature after joining the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), an Eco-programme run by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.
“Reporting how water shortages and environmental degradation were affecting my community in Katlehong got me into this journey. My eyes were opened and from then on, I realised that we need to do more to protect our environment.”
In her efforts to do just this, she has planted 135 trees to-date in areas such as Tembisa, Katlehong and most recently in Rustenburg.
Mobilising support for these initiatives is not an easy feat she admits, but this is somehow elevated by tapping into the skills that come with being a Theatre and Performance student majoring in Directing and Cultural Policy and Management at the Wits School of Arts.
“As a Miss Earth South Africa ambassador, my ultimate vision is to empower marginalised schools and communities through sustainable development and environmental stewardship utilising my artistic skills to connect people, planet and art - I believe that these three are interconnected. To achieve this, I aim to establish eco-hubs in disadvantaged areas, serving as vibrant centres for education, growth, and community engagement.”
Post the pageant finals which were held on 9 September, she led a team of university students from Wits and Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU) belonging to the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) on an eco-edu-drive, returning to her township in Katlehong to launch the Green Rising ZA project at Thutopele Secondary school. This was in partnership with UNICEF SA and led by WESSA.
Students and Sustainability
She firmly believes that “universities have the power to shape the next generation of eco-leaders by prioritising sustainability education and empowering students.
Her view is closely aligned with that of fellow students who attended the GCI conference in July, drawing students from various institutions in the country.
“At this year's conference, a pressing conversation emerged where students passionately urged universities to invest in programmes and initiatives that empower students to drive positive change, transforming them from passive observers to active eco-warriors.”
Although this is happening through the Living and Learning Communities programme under departments that manage campus residences, students are of the view that “there is a need for comprehensive support to foster environmental stewardship and sustainability from day one.”
Ongoing engagement could also result in innovative solutions resulting from student encounters with community problems.
Leading For.Good
Mathebula is an active student leader and serves as the Vice-Chairperson of Noswal Hall (residence), Vice-Chairperson of the Wits School of Arts (WSOA) Council and is the Academic Officer in the All-Residence Sub-Council (ARSC ). It was her participation in the residence structure that bolstered her participation in Miss Earth SA which in turn opened the door to MC the National Youth Afrocentric Alliance (NYA) Heritage Day event at the Wits Theatre.
To top it off, she was recently selected as one of the Future Advisory Board (FAB) member, a collective body of international emerging and early-career performance studies scholars, artists and scholars. FAB advises the Performance Studies International (Psi) board around the interests and concerns of emerging scholars and artists; and with regard to the future of the field from the perspective of new generation.
Fuelled by her motto: “My voice unlocks opportunities. My abilities pave the Way”, this young lady is clearly about driving sustainable development goals through championing environmental and social justice.
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