Meet Celiwe Shivambu, a fierce and passionate climate justice activist. At the young age of 23, Celiwe is already making waves in the fight for a more sustainable and equitable future for the youth of her country. As the Project Lead of the South African Youth Climate Action Plan (SAYCAP), she has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at driving positive change.

Celiwe’s dedication to the cause goes beyond mere words. She actively engages in policy-making, advocacy, and diplomacy, recognizing that real change requires action on multiple fronts. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she was recently selected as a South African Youth delegate for the Presidential Climate Commission at the COP27 conference held in the stunning city of Sharm El Sheikh.

In addition to her impressive involvement in global climate discussions, Celiwe has been recognized for her outstanding leadership skills. She was bestowed with the prestigious News24 Future Young Mandela 2022 award in the Leadership category, affirming her remarkable contributions to youth engagement in climate policies. Celiwe’s determination to empower her peers and amplify their voices is truly inspiring.

Celiwe’s journey towards climate justice activism began at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she pursued a BA (Hons) in International Relations. Her educational background has undoubtedly shaped her understanding of global dynamics and equipped her with the necessary tools to drive meaningful change.

At Fundza, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Celiwe and delve deeper into her role as a climate justice activist. Her passion and commitment shone through as she shared her vision for a world where environmental sustainability and social equity go hand in hand. Celiwe’s advocacy work serves as a powerful reminder that the youth have a crucial role to play in shaping the future they deserve.

With Celiwe Shivambu leading the way, we can rest assured that the fight for climate justice will continue to gain momentum. Her tireless efforts and unwavering determination remind us that no goal is too ambitious when it comes to safeguarding our planet and securing a brighter future for generations to come.

Fundza: Can you briefly share who you are and what you do for a living?

Celimusa: My name is Celimusa Shivambu and I’m a climate justice activist. I have been an activist since high school. I love activism and my interests are advocacy, diplomacy and policymaking. I have been in the space for quite some time. I was the project lead for the South Africa’s very first Youth Climate Action Plan, through youth SAYCAP and we were trying to get young people on board when it comes to policymaking, and also seeing what young people in South Africa’s vision is for climate change in the future. I’ve also been part of the lead drafters for the Johannesburg Youth Climate Action Plan. 

Fundza: What inspired you to become a climate activist?

Celiwe: In high school, I always hated sports. I had to do something, and that’s when I got involved in Soul Buddies, UNICEF, Boys and Girls Clubs. My teachers figured out that I speak a lot. so, I got into public speaking. I would speak on behalf of my school and represent them at public speaking competitions. I then moved to debating. I started  the first debate club at school, and I think that’s a great example of just when my leadership started.

I  thought: I’m interested in that (climate change). Remember, I’m from Soweto, it’s a township in Joburg. So, (for me) climate change has always been a very elitist, white topic that private school kids talk about. And I was like; I want to talk about that, I want to be involved with that. But we (climate change activists) discovered that climate change is intersectional. It will include everyone. It will have an impact on both the developing and developed economies, the poor, the rich, the black, the white, the queer, it will basically affect everyone. 

Fundza: How do you get the youth involved? 

Celiwe: The South African Youth Climate Action Plan was created by young people, including myself. We led the entire process up to its launch. It’s a document, and the lived experiences of young people in South Africa, and turning those lived experiences into policy. 

It’s packed with a lot of information. It is a youth document. It’s made by young people for young people.

You tell stories of young people, like for example, not everyone can write policy. Not everyone has the leeway; not everyone can write, what can you do? And we had young people submitting forms, we had young people submitting murals and paintings and drawings just trying to describe the conditions of their community. And that’s all part of the document. That’s all in the policy. So that’s how we got young people involved. 

Fundza: What do you believe is the best or the most effective way to combat climate change? Do you think it’s going to marches or policy-making?

Celiwe: It’s definitely a combination of everything. All these protests, our policies, all these conferences, all these dialogues, all these consultations, it is our attempt to try and link climate change to the conditions of South Africans everyday lives. It’s to try and link disasters, as we see with the floods. Why are droughts happening? Why natural disasters? And how will this affect your life? But unfortunately, in a country like South Africa, anxiety is so high, people think, “How am I just going to make it to the next day.”

But we are doing our work, we are doing work on the side in the organisations we work for, in the organisations we volunteer with, to try and ensure that common communities get involved in the dialogue. The presidential Climate Coalition has been doing great work in going out to communities and consulting, for example, the just energy transition. And I think it’s very relevant. 

The best we can do right now is to get involved in the conversation, educate as much as we can, and consult as much as we can. Amid these topics of climate change, making people aware, awareness raising is our best tool at the moment. Shape advocacy, define advocacy for millions of South Africans who at the moment, they can’t do it for themselves because they also have other issues that are happening.

Fundza: What are some of the misconceptions or myths about climate change that you frequently encounter? And how do you address them?

Celiwe: People that are in denial of climate change, that it doesn’t exist. Climate change activists, who are young people, are just bored teenagers. Another thing is that climate change is a Western problem, but it’s our (the world’s) problem. 

Fundza: What advice would you give to other young people who want to get involved in climate activism?

Celiwe: Find your entry point, find what you like doing. If you’re a writer, write on climate change. If you are a public speaker, speak on climate change. If you are an artist, and you like drawing, give us your best paintings and drawings on the planet. Find your entry point, I think everyone can be part of the conversation. 

I realised that I probably wouldn’t be the best person in a protest, but I can definitely write my policy. And if you can’t do a protest, then you can have a loud voice, and go out there. But also, if your parents won’t allow you to go to a political protest, then you have your phone, and your data. Hashtag activism is a thing, go on your keyboard, and you know, push those hashtags, share petitions, sign up for petitions. Get involved in some way or another. There’s never too much and too little. 

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Tell us:  We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you can make a difference in the fight against climate change. How do you envision lending your unique voice and skills to combat this global challenge? Share your ideas and let’s inspire one another to build a more sustainable future together!

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