Insights from the Green Youth Indaba with Karabo Motaung-Mohlala
By Atlegang Moeketsi, Communications, PR and Media Lead at the Green Youth Network.
At the Durban Exhibition Centre, where the Green Youth Network hosted the 10th Annual Green Youth Indaba, I had the privilege of catching up with Karabo Motaung-Mohlala, a Principal Analyst at the Competition Commission. The excitement of the event filled the air as Karabo shared her passion and insights into her role and the significant impact of the Indaba on advancing sustainability in South Africa.
Karabo began by describing the multifaceted role of the Competition Commission, a statutory body empowered by the Competition Act, No 89 of 1998. “Our mission is to investigate and prosecute anti-competitive conduct, prevent market concentration, scrutinise the state of competition in various markets, and conduct advocacy to raise awareness and promote compliance with the Competition Act,” she explained. Her enthusiasm for the Commission’s work was visible.
When I asked about her motivation to participate in this year’s Green Youth Indaba, Karabo’s eyes lit up. “Unemployment in South Africa, especially among youth aged 15 to 35, is a persistent issue, with 42% not in employment, education, or training,” she said passionately. “Youth entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our society. They create self-employment opportunities, relieve unemployment by creating jobs for others, and drive innovation with new products in the market. Platforms like the Green Youth Indaba are crucial for engaging with young entrepreneurs across the country, especially those outside Gauteng.”
Karabo firmly believes that events like the Green Youth Indaba are instrumental in advancing sustainability goals in South Africa. “The Green Youth Network’s focus on economic recovery, job creation, sustainable skills development, and innovation aligns perfectly with the Commission’s mandate to promote employment and advance the social and economic welfare of South Africans,” she said. “Supporting the Indaba demonstrates our commitment to the national sustainability agenda and environmental protectors among youth.”
Reflecting on the sessions and discussions at the Indaba, Karabo shared her excitement about the future of the green economy. “Young entrepreneurs are entering these markets with innovative technologies and initiatives that contribute to sustainable green economies and broader economic growth,” she said with a smile. “However, to maximise their impact, SMEs need to collaborate, enhancing their competitiveness within legal boundaries.”
Karabo also emphasised the importance of involving young people in shaping environmental policies and initiatives. “Young people bring fresh ideas and perspectives,” she said. “Their high levels of motivation and vested interest in long-term outcomes make them invaluable to the policy-making process. Including them ensures that environmental policies are robust, inclusive, and forward-thinking.”
One youth-led innovation that particularly impressed Karabo at the Indaba was a water drone capable of watering large areas without ground equipment. “It’s phenomenal,” she exclaimed. “Such creativity showcases the practical solutions being developed by young minds.”
Discussing the challenges South Africa faces in achieving a sustainable green economy, Karabo highlighted the country’s heavy reliance on coal for energy production. “Transitioning to renewable energy sources will be complex and costly,” she admitted. “And we must consider the economic impact on coal mining regions. It’s a delicate balance.”
Karabo concluded by highlighting the potential for collaboration between government agencies like the Competition Commission and youth-driven environmental initiatives like the Green Youth Indaba. “Many government entities have programmes to support young entrepreneurs, but the information isn’t always accessible,” she noted. “We need to collaborate better and use our platforms to bridge this information gap, ensuring young entrepreneurs have the support they need.”
Karabo’s insights were both enlightening and inspiring, highlighting the vital role of young entrepreneurs in driving sustainable development and the importance of platforms like the Green Youth Indaba in encouraging innovation and collaboration.