Environmental education assistant: Table Mountain Fund, Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa

It was through mountain biking in the great outdoors that Phindile Mangwana developed his childlike wonder and appreciation for nature. It kick-started a desire to protect it by acquiring a BSc in conservation biology, getting involved in environmental non- governmental organisations and entering competitions such as the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Award, which he won in 2010.

His passion also earned him a place in the Table Mountain Fund Young Professionals Programme, which aims to develop young professionals in biodiversity management. Focusing on environmental education, 23-year-old Mangwana spends his days supporting school- and community-based programmes.

From reconnecting township youth to nature to making programmes relevant to people whose main concern is making a living, Mangwana works hard to foster environmental consciousness and involve people in what is essentially a losing battle without their support. By sharing his passion, Mangwana hopes to motivate people to do exactly what he does: bring about positive change in South Africa and on Earth.

— Lu Larche

YouTube: Young Professionals — Table Mountain Fund