Minister Barbara Creecy: 8th annual Green Youth Indaba

Programme Director
Advocate Linda Zama – KZN Premier’s Office;
Cllr Ntando Khuzwayo – City of eThekwini;
Mr Sanele Zulu – Green Youth Network Chairperson;
Esteemed guests,

Sanibonani eThekwini

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to join you at this important eighth annual Green Youth Indaba.

As we near the end of Youth Month tomorrow, allow me to extend warm greetings to this wonderful gathering of youth delegates who come from all over South Africa.

Our country honours Youth Month in June each year as a way of paying tribute not only to the generation of 1976, but also as a way of acknowledging the enormous energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity young citizens people bring to our society.

I am aware that many of you feel that you are faced with difficult and challenging times. Many of you may believe these are more difficult and more challenging than many of the generations that have gone before you.

As a Minister I receive heart breaking emails and calls from your peers who tell me they have university qualifications or years of volunteering experience but are unable to find meaningful employment.

That is why a gathering such as this is so important and I want to congratulate those of you who have joined the Green Youth Indaba today, because I believe this important initiative can make a meaningful contribution in your own lives and to youth development in general in this complex and difficult world.

Let me begin today by introducing the concept of sustainable development as the only correct approach we can take to solving the economic problems of our time.

Sustainability is an important concept for all of us here because it teaches us that the way in which we meet our current needs as humanity should not impact on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Unfortunately, your generation must confront the fact that previous generations have not used nature’s resources in a sustainable manner and so today’s youth face the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, all which not only threaten the future of the natural world as we know it, but also our survival as humanity.

The world in which we live evolved over thousands of years to provide life on Earth with what we call ecosystem services: the air we breathe, the water we drink and use to water our crops and clean our clothes; the soil in which we grow our food; and the ocean that provides the fish we eat.

Human activity and the careless and greedy way in which we use our natural resources is fundamentally damaging these precious and life- giving ecosystems. In many parts of our country the air is so polluted it results in respiratory illnesses.

Untreated sewerage is threatening our water systems; carbon emissions are causing global warming and extreme weather events and our disregard for nature will likely result in the mass extinction of species before the end of the current century.

I mention these existential issues today because they will increasingly shape the world in which you will live and will increasingly impact on the economy, built environment, and food and water security.

By way of example, climate change causes extreme weather events. The tornado hit eThekwini on Tuesday. The devastating floods here in KwaZulu-Natal in April last year destroyed over four hundred lives and thousands of homes.  The floods also had a lasting impact on water and sanitation systems; tourism and beach access; and the export capacity of the Port of Durban, and consequently on the wider economic ecosystem of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The question we must ask today is whether, in the face of these human induced environmental challenges, we are powerless? The answer is definitely not. While time is running out to mitigate the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, science tells us it is not too late, and we must act with urgency in this decade.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our country is a signatory to the three Rio Conventions relating to Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity. In signing the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015, our government committed to giving its best effort to prevent average global temperature increases to well below two degrees and to ensuring that we progressively meet the target of placing thirty percent of the land and the sea under protection.

These targets are not easy for any developing country to meet and ours is no exception. We have already spoken about the scourge of unemployment facing young people. Ensuring the provision of basic services including education, health care, human settlements and social services places big demands on government resources.

And so, the question that arises is how will a developing country such as ours, which has so many demands on government and public resources, finance the transition from our current high carbon economy to a low carbon climate resilient economy and society? How will we help vulnerable communities to become more climate resilient? Who will pay for the loss and damage that will arise as a result of extreme weather events and global warming?

This raises the issue of Justice. The current climate emergency is the direct result of over 200 years of industrialisation which has taken place in the developed north.

The African continent has contributed less than four percent to global emissions which cause global warming.   And yet African countries are warming at twice the average global rate and young people, women and communities living in conditions of poverty who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, will be worst affected.

For this reason, South Africa has joined other developing countries in arguing that developed countries have to support developing countries in building new forms of energy generation, transportation and industrialisation that reduces green-house gas emissions.

We know that conserving ecosystems such as forests, coral reefs and other carbon sinks helps mitigate the impact of climate change.  Many of these carbon sinks are found in the mega biodiverse countries in the developing world.

Yet biodiversity provides the ecosystem services we all need. For example, the rainforests of the Congo and Amazon basins are what we call the lungs of the world. So, when SA joined other countries in signing the Kunming-Montreal Protocol in December last year we called on developed countries to assist in financing the rehabilitation and conservation of biodiversity.

When we talk about Justice in the climate and biodiversity space we are talking about justice between the developed global north and the developing south; we are talking about justice between current and future generations; we are talking about justice between workers and business so that workers and vulnerable communities do not carry the cost and the risk of the transition while others enjoy the benefits.

And we are of the opinion that there can only be justice if those who have created the global problems of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation help developing countries benefit from the new green industrial revolution that is sweeping the globe.

In fact, I would go so far as arguing that in the modern world there are two main areas of economic development: the one is of course the IT space. The other is a wide category of activities that we can loosely call the Green Economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The key driver of the green economy is the transition to low carbon forms of energy generation, storage, mobility and industrial production. In the mining sector this is driving new demand for what are considered the minerals of the future – platinum, lithium, copper and vanadium, amongst others. These are used in the production of fuel cells and battery storage technology.

This also supports new forms of industrialisation to produce components for renewable energy installations, batteries, fuel cells, electric vehicles and for green hydrogen.

New forms of food production that use less water, energy, fertilisers and pesticides are driving new research and development. Declining fish stocks are already leading to a surge in aquaculture production in both coastal and inland communities.

Public demand for eco-tourism is fuelling renewed interest in South Africa’s tourist offerings and our conservation management authorities are already promoting public-private partnerships to improve tourism offerings in a number of national parks.

Recently, South Africa joined 175 countries in supporting an international pact to end plastic pollution. This pact requires that we promote strategies to reduce, reuse and re-cycle plastic, as well as improve our waste management strategies in the country.

The pact is already promoting better co-operation between business, government and waste reclaimers and it promotes a recycling industry that has in recent years created close to 71 000 jobs.

By way of conclusion let me go back to where we started:  the conundrum of youth unemployment in our country. I have tried today to show you that the environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation pose an existential threat to all of us.

The new green production revolution they are driving offers new possibilities for employment, ownership and shared prosperity. This indaba is all about how you can get involved and what opportunities there are to gain skills and become part of the new forces in the world.

Let me close with a quote from award winning author Ben Okri who wrote in his poem “A new dream of Politics”:

“There’s always a new way,
A better way that’s not been tried before”.

I thank you.

Youth urged to consider careers in green economy

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has identified the green economy as a career option that young people should consider to gain access to new opportunities, possibilities for employment, ownership and shared prosperity.

Addressing the annual Green Youth Indaba in Durban, the Minister said sustainable development is the only correct approach to solve the current economic problems.

“Sustainability is an important concept for all of us here because it teaches us that the way in which we meet our current needs as humanity should not impact on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“The environmental crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation pose an existential threat to all of us. The new green production revolution offers new possibilities for employment, ownership and shared prosperity,” the Minister said on Thursday.

Creecy said today’s youth face the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, all which not only threaten the future of the natural world but also the survival of humanity.

“The key driver of the green economy is the transition to low carbon forms of energy generation, storage, mobility and industrial production. In the mining sector, this is driving new demand for what are considered the minerals of the future – platinum, lithium, copper and vanadium, amongst others. These are used in the production of fuel cells and battery storage technology. This also supports new forms of industrialisation to produce components for renewable energy installations, batteries, fuel cells, electric vehicles and for green hydrogen,” the Minister said.

She said new forms of food production that use less water, energy, fertilisers and pesticides are driving new research and development.

“Declining fish stocks are already leading to a surge in aquaculture production in both coastal and inland communities. Public demand for eco-tourism is fuelling renewed interest in South Africa’s tourist offerings and our conservation management authorities are already promoting public-private partnerships to improve tourism offerings in a number of national parks,” Creecy said.

Recently, South Africa joined 175 countries in supporting an international pact to end plastic pollution.

This pact requires that South Africa promote strategies to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic, as well as improve waste management strategies in the country.

“The pact is already promoting better cooperation between business, government and waste reclaimers, and it promotes a recycling industry that has in recent years created close to 71 000 jobs.

“While time is running out to mitigate the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution, science tells us it is not too late, and we must act with urgency in this decade,” the Minister said.

South Africa is a signatory to the three Rio Conventions relating to Climate Change, Desertification and Biodiversity.

“In signing the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015, our government committed to giving its best effort to prevent average global temperature increases to well below two degrees and to ensuring that we progressively meet the target of placing 30% of the land and the sea under protection. These targets are not easy for any developing country to meet and ours is no exception,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

South Africa needs empowered and successful youth entrepreneurs in the environmental industry

Composting businesses could play a huge role in addressing challenges of unemployment and food security. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Composting businesses could play a huge role in addressing challenges of unemployment and food security. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Siwaphiwe Myataza-Mzantsi

Grooming entrepreneurial spirit among the youth is a crucial element in addressing the unemployment crisis.

The 8th annual Green Youth Indaba 2023 is yet another crucial intervention by the Department of Forest, Fisheries and the Environment to remind young people not only to get involved in the green economy, but to be key players and thought leaders.

Do we know how many compost businesses are owned by young black people in South Africa? I am asking because in every household in rural areas, there’s a bucket ready to store manure and leftover foods until ready to be added to the soil to help plants grow – this is compost. The compost is used to prepare and preserve the soil for planting. Is this monetised in rural areas? No.

The compost that we produced at our homestead used to assist us in fertilising my late grandparent’s harvest fields where we worked and helped as teens during school holidays. We never bought cabbages, spinach, potatoes, carrots and maize; we harvested from the fields. Had we turned that into a family business, we would have come far by now.

I sometimes wish to have understood how that exposure and free training would benefit my life, but unfortunately I lacked knowledge on the rich careers that one finds in the agriculture and environmental sector.

If there’s anything that the elders passed to us, the youth from black communities, it is involving us in environmental and green economic activities without even having knowledge on how that participation could benefit our careers later in life.

The only thing that perhaps has always lacked in rural areas is terminologies and the labelling of each activity that was being done – maybe this could be blamed on language barriers. For example, I have made compost all my life growing up in the cold and foggy village of Ngcele in Tsolo, but I got to know that people do it as a business when I arrived in the Western Cape for my university education.

The terminology used is “Composting business”, which I believe could play a huge role in addressing our challenges of unemployment and food security.

A study conducted by joint scholars from University of the Witwatersrand titled: Food insecurity and coping strategies and their association with anxiety and depression, suggests that one in five South African households begs for food and that 20.4 % of South African households are food insecure, with the most affected being from the lowest socio-economic groups.

Due to the persisting challenge of food security, people are finding coping mechanisms to deal with food insecurity, like eating less expensive food, borrowing food or money, using credit, relying on relatives or friends, limiting portion sizes or the number of meals per day and even begging for food.

How do we advocate for a South Africa where young people are empowered and successful entrepreneurs in the environmental industry? A start would be to add environmental studies to our school curricula. Let my 10-year old niece have a full-time subject in which she learns about environmental protection, recycling, waste management, environmental technology, composting businesses and many other beneficial green economy activities.

At the moment, South Africa faces the highest unemployment rate the country has ever seen. Graduates find themselves in dire circumstances, lacking opportunities. Training young people on crucial skills like entrepreneurship and financial literacy would bring relief to the country’s unemployment rate.

I am glad to witness a proactive department where the eighth annual Green Youth Indaba is used as a vehicle to continuously groom entrepreneurial spirit and ability among young people within the environmental industry. This will help us create a generation of successful job creators, innovators and world changers.

*Myataza-Mzantsi is a political science graduate from UWC and writes in her personal capacity.

Sustainable development the solution to economic problems, says Creecy

Minister of Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy has warned the youth face triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

Sustainable development the solution to economic problems, says Creecy
Lauren Beukes

“Which are as a direct result of the unsustainable development path that the world is on, and this unsustainable development path threatens not only the future of the natural world but it actually threatens the future of humanity.”

She spoke at the Green Youth Indaba at the Durban ICC on Thursday.

The Indaba’s theme is “Promoting Youth Participation and Sustainable Skills Development for a Just Transition”.

Creecy said one way to address the problem is sustainable development.

“I think that this is the correct approach that the world in general needs to take to solving the problems, particularly the economic problems of our time.

“Sustainability is a concept that says as humanity we have to meet our current needs in a way that does not undermine the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Green Youth Indaba 2022 Event Report

Green Youth Network 2022

The Green Youth Network in partnership with FP&M SETA, EWSETA, and the Department of Trade
and Industry and Competition, hosted its 7th Annual Green Youth Indaba. The Green Youth Network is
responsible for the advancement of youth interest – and the development of sustainable skills – in the
green economy. It also seeks to promote comprehensive education on issues relating to environmental
conservation in South Africa. The Green Youth Network is a national network of action-oriented youth in
South Africa who are concerned about environmental issues and determined to make a positive change.

GYI_Post Report 2022

Climate Innovation Centre South Africa (CICSA) absorb three Green Innovators Pitch 7.0 winners

Climate Innovation Centre South Africa (CICSA) absorb three Green Innovators Pitch 7.0 winners

By Xolisile Dlou

Following the success of the Green Youth Indaba 2022, held from the 29th to 30th of June, the Climate Innovation Centre South Africa (CICSA) has absorbed three of the Green Innovators Pitch 7.0 winners.

The programme is under The Innovation Hub. The Green Innovators Pitch invited inventors, innovators, green entrepreneurs, green start-up companies, small green businesses, universities, students, science councils, and technology transfer offices to showcase their green technology businesses and green ideas the programme aims to provide business development support to start-ups in the South African green economy in collaboration with the World Bank’s InfoDey, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)’s green fund.

Sisi Nxumalo, the winner of the competition, expressed her happiness in an exclusive interview with Green Youth Connect after learning that they had been absorbed by the programme. As someone who has always admired the Innovation Hub, she said, “I felt very excited, as I have always looked up to The Innovation Hub.” She cited a prior application in her statement. “I actually applied to be part of an incubation programme through The Innovation Hub about 5 years ago with my first business. Now I feel more confident in myself and my business to truly benefit from what The Innovation Hub Programme has to offer,” said Nxumalo.

 

She went on to say that they had recently completed onboarding and that they are eager to collaborate with experts in the waste industry and business in general. She expressed that they are looking forward to meeting with the patenting and commercialization team. She concluded by saying “Pitching is everything, whether you have 5 mins or one minute, when you come into contact with people who want to listen to you, you have to know how to Pitch Perfect!”

When she learned that she had been absorbed by The Innovation Hub programme, first runner-up Rene Molepo said that she felt a great sense of honour and excitement. She further added that “My experience thus far has been eye-opening to vast opportunities that exist for me as a female entrepreneur.”

She went on to say that “As an introverted person who is an entrepreneur, I did not necessarily understand the importance of being out there and networking with other entrepreneurs/stakeholders, whether in the same field or not. I have learned the importance of networking. Thus, the quote ‘Your network is your net worth,” she said. She concluded by saying that she has been exposed to various opportunities “Just to name a few, Funding opportunities, assistance with legalities (IP registration, SABS process) and the networking engagements that will propel me as an entrepreneur.”

The second runner up Lungile Marhungane said that “I was so excited as I had heard of the Innovation hub for years, but I wasn’t too sure how I would be absorbed by the Hub. For me this is a lifetime opportunity that will take my business to the next level.” She further mentioned that the experience has been a bliss for her, and her mentor has reached out and she is excited about their meeting. She added that “the contracts that we had to sign taught me that it is important to have agreements in writing when running a business as it also gives a sense of belonging and responsibilities,” said Marhungane.

In closing, she mentioned that “this is very important for me as it will assist me so much with product development and getting my products out there for retail and ensuring that it meets the standards of the market. Also, in terms of linkages and networks, I believe this opportunity will open up more.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Youth Indaba creates new prospects for Sibusiso who produces oil, petrol, and gas from recyclable materials

Green Youth Indaba creates new prospects for Sibusiso who produces oil, petrol, and gas from recyclable materials

By Xolisile Dlou

After not being able to finish his studies because of financial difficulties, Sibusiso Shabangu, 30, of Sibange Village in Nkomazi Municipality, decided to experiment with plastic to make plastic paving blocks but instead produced biofuel out of saturated oil, diesel, petrol, jet fuel, electricity, and gas.

Shabangu was one of the individuals who received an invitation to exhibit in the Green Youth Indaba 2022, the Indaba invited inventors, innovators, green entrepreneurs, green start-up companies, small green businesses, universities, students, science councils, and technology transfer offices to showcase their green technology businesses and green ideas.

Shabangu got the chance to show off his work and exchange ideas with experts in the green economy, and he was one of the fortunate individuals to be absorbed by the Climate Innovation Centre South Africa (CICSA) programme which aims to provide business development support to start-ups in the South African green economy in collaboration with the World Bank’s InfoDey, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)’s green fund. The programme is under The Innovation Hub.

He stated that he had been looking for such an opportunity since the year 2019 but had not been successful until he received an invitation to the 7th Annual Green Youth Indaba. “I was so happy to be invited and be part of such a summit where I was in one room with different MEC and General Bantu Holomisa,” he said. He continued by saying that it was his dream come true, but he was also filled with many questions. Why him? “Is this the chance that will help me, or is it just an invitation? But I had to go for greater exposure, and I knew that I might run into a possible stakeholder who will help the initiative flourish and be implemented,” he stated.

When asked how he thinks the programme will benefit his business or innovation he said “the programme will help SMS to be implemented at Sibange Village, get compliances, manufacturing license, sabs testing of the product, market access, create a business network, get potential investors locally and internationally, and hoping to be the first or second young black-owned manufacturing of fuel and generation of electricity in South Africa.”

He added that he is thankful for the chance because his road has been filled with so many obstacles. “The journey has so many disappointments from the government sector and private sector though it was a lesson that through every success story there are disappointments, tears, and  corrector.”

He concluded by saying “The important lesson I learned is to be humble and comply.

To comply is a challenge when you have no funds and getting proper assistance is a stumbling block for a start-up project especially if it is owned by youth and unemployed. Since some of the information, it becomes hard to get because of the sector of the business that is starting,” he stated.

 

Business-minded youth share ideas on innovative careers, entrepreneurship prospects at indaba

The 7th annual Green Youth Indaba is under way at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Naude/African News Agency (ANA)

The 7th annual Green Youth Indaba is under way at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Naude/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jun 30, 2022

Pretoria – The Green Youth Network, in partnership with various stakeholders, is hosting its 7th annual indaba at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria.

The theme for the two-day event is “Climate Adaptation, Innovation and Sustainable Skills Development”.

It is intended for youth to participate in the green economy. The indaba focuses on which innovative career and entrepreneurship prospects are available in South Africa to enhance the skills shortage and explore innovative solutions.

It also wants to look at protecting the environment while bringing green economy skills, jobs and careers to the forefront of climate change adaptation.

The founder of the network, Sanele Zulu, said the event was about educating the youth in the opportunities within the green economy and how to access them.

Sanele Zulu of Green Youth Network at the event. Picture: Jacques Naude/African News Agency (ANA)

“We are also talking about innovation among our youth. The green economy is the future economy. What we want is to inspire young people to get involved in the economy.

“There are a lot of issues surrounding climate change. We are saying if there are opportunities to solve climate change, let young people be the ones to lead the revolution.”

Zulu said they had programmes and pitchers (those that had innovative ideas) available, and had partnered with the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, which would incubate some of the winners in its programmes.

“It’s a full-year programme, and we also have mentorship as part of our programme,” he said.

Zulu said the winners would get a six-month mentorship programme from the Green Youth Network.

He said the speakers were decision makers and he challenged them to assist the youth in creating opportunities.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, who was at the opening, said South Africa needed to create a fund dedicated to various sectors and not the National Youth Development Agency.

“All those in different sectors need to have access to that fund. We also need to look at the environment. There are many students studying horticulture as a subject. Those students could start their own business and sell plants.

“The issue of skills is another issue the youth need to look into. We are exporting raw materials to China for them to make solar panels and return them as a completed product. If we were to skill and upskill our young people, that would create a lot of employment.”

Chief executive at the Energy and Water Seta, Mpho Mookapele, said the event was a chance for the youth to participate in the country’s economy.

“The country stands in a better position to have young people who are innovators, not only for their community but the world as a whole. The world is hungry for innovation. I believe our country’s green economy has the ability to create opportunities for young people.

“Our mandate is to ensure that young people have the skills to be able to participate in the economy. The greatest thing is expecting the youth to participate but not to capacitate them.

“We also fund entrepreneurs and we incubate entrepreneurs. We also do research to see what entrepreneurs and SMMEs require to be successful.

“It is a great initiative to see the Green Youth Indaba bringing minds together, bringing dreamers together, and saying we can actually build together.”

Call for Papers

Green Innovator’s Pitch 7.0