South Africa: Youth Activist Empowered to Dare to Change

Background

In Cape Town, like many communities across South Africa, conversations about climate change and environmental justice were almost non-existent in schools and homes. For young people, the lack of information and platforms to engage meant they felt disconnected from nature and excluded from critical decisions shaping their future. Thembi Yoti was one of those young people. Before 2018, he had little exposure to climate issues, or the role youth could play in driving meaningful change.

The Turning Point

Everything changed when Thembi joined the YouLead Initiative in 2018. This programme opened doors to knowledge, tools, and networks that empowered him to take action. Initially, Thembi struggled to find ways to sustain the momentum beyond the programme. But his determination led him to volunteer for the OurClimateAGender project, where he now plays a pivotal role in developing tools and resources that integrate Afrocentric and matricentric perspectives. His work ensures that climate and gender justice conversations resonate deeply within African contexts.

The Change

Thembi’s journey reflects a broader shift: young people moving from passive observers to active drivers of change. Through structured mentorship and leadership development, Thembi gained confidence and clarity on how to influence policy and practice. Today, he leads capacity-building efforts within the project, supporting both internal teams and external partners. This transformation is not just personal. It is systemic. Thembi’s involvement has strengthened collaboration between youth activists and organisations like Project 90 by 2030, embedding youth voices in climate and gender justice campaigns.

Evidence of Impact

The change is visible and measurable:

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Thembi and Project 90 formalises ongoing collaboration.
• Regular feedback sessions with the Gender Campaign Lead ensure accountability and responsiveness.
• Youth-led resource development and peer-to-peer training models are now central to project strategies.

These steps have created a structured feedback loop, fostering ownership and sustainability among youth leaders.

Quotes: Thembi’s impact is echoed by peers and partner. 

Quote 1: 

Brandan -Yes, I would love to help out where I can because not being in the space as much as I like, I feel like I need to work on this project.

Quote 2: 

Loyiso - I think diving deep into intersectionality more would be a great approach because it would show how all these things affect us all.

Quote 3: 

Lorna - Having Thembi work in this project will echo the science/indigenous aspect that hasn’t been tapped into.

These reflections highlight the ripple effect of Thembi’s leadership—sparking curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

Sustainability and Next Steps

The journey does not end here. Project 90 is deepening its investment in youth-led activism through:

• Ongoing mentorship and leadership development.
• Formal partnerships with local institutions.
• Embedding youth activists in existing campaigns.
• Peer-to-peer training models to scale impact.

Thembi’s story is a testament to what happens when young people are given the tools and trust to lead. His work ensures that climate and gender justice are not abstract concepts but lived realities shaped by those most affected.

Why This Matters

Climate change and gender inequality are interconnected challenges that demand inclusive solutions. Empowering youth like Thembi is not optional, it is essential. Their voices bring urgency, creativity, and resilience to movements that aim to transform societies. This story reminds us that change begins when someone dares to step forward and when systems respond by opening doors.

By: Thembi Yoti