Currently in its ninth year, this global competition incentivises climate-smart entrepreneurs to take their business ideas further. It also gives them access to tools and resources to develop into impactful organisations that address climate change.

Kimsha’s journey to the final round of this contest started in December 2021, when she was selected to participate in the six-month Manzipreneur Ideation Incubator Programme. This is offered by the Youth Bridge Trust (YBT) to help unemployed graduates transition to entrepreneurial careers in the water sector.

The initiative was funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC) under the Water Graduate Employment Programme Phase II, which falls under the Presidential Employment Stimulus initiative.

Finding solutions

During the e-learning portion of the programme, Manzipreneur participants were exposed to a broad range of challenges relating to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. They became familiar with solutions across six green industries, with the primary focus on the water sector.

It’s the youth of South Africa, like Kimsha and her peers, who are among those most at risk of the impacts of climate change. Their health, education and safety are being threatened by crises such as water scarcity and pollution of our soil, water and air1.

And yet, despite this stormy outlook, a silver lining is appearing in the form of young people committed to changing their destiny and that of this embattled country.

“It is surely up to the youth to stand together in the sense of Ubuntu to ignite and create the changes needed, to assume leadership roles and to employ green feasible solutions,” says Kimsha.

Tackling such significant challenges means arming young people with the right knowledge, via easy-to-use platforms like YBT’s Green Economy Academy.

Also proving invaluable to Kimsha and 300 other Manzipreneur participants were the masterclasses and coaching received, particularly when it came to pitching their business concepts to a panel of industry experts.

Using stormwater proactively

Kimsha placed third at the July 2022 event, impressing the panel with her novel and ambitious idea of harvesting stormwater from urban drainage systems to supply a freshwater aquaponics operation set up to grow two alien invasive species, namely marron crayfish and water hyacinth, while producing leafy greens.

Called Nqoba Green Solutions, the operation would concurrently address the challenges of water and food scarcity, the decline of indigenous rock lobster populations through overfishing, and the capture of carbon through the cultivation of plants.

The operation would also provide employment and help boost the local economy.

Putting her idea forward

It was based on the success of her pitch that Kimsha was encouraged to enter the ClimateLaunchpad competition. To her surprise, she placed second in the National round.

She then represented South Africa in a Regional round against other African countries and was selected as a wild card, placed among Africa’s top 17 contestants who then competed to get into the Grand Finale round.

How does it feel to have come this far in the competition? Kimsha admits she does feel the pressure. “But having confidence, discipline, passion and perseverance definitely gives rise to wings,” she counters.

“Having those wings enables anyone to soar beyond their limits and doubts, leaving the weight behind. Knowing your purpose and moving towards achieving it is always progress – even if you fail.”

Youth-owned enterprises

Sharing Kimsha’s positivity and hope for a greener future is YBT’s acting Executive Director, Ntsiki Gumbe.

She believes that, given their stake in a sustainable future and their interest in technology, the youth are often well positioned to take up entrepreneurial opportunities in the green economy.

“But they need green knowledge and skills as well as technical knowledge and support to ideate and launch their small business ideas,” she adds. “Which is why we’re so excited about our Green Economy Academy and related programmes.”

Youth-owned enterprises that complete the programme are better positioned to enter corporate supply chains, especially as the private sector moves towards emerging ESG and net zero targets.

“This will lead to an inclusive green economy that’s able to address our country’s poverty and inequality problems as well as youth employment, which currently sits at around 75%,” says Gumbe.

Conclusion

Nqoba Green Solutions did not ultimately make it onto the podium at ClimateLaunchpad 2022.

Kimsha, however, remains extremely grateful for the growth she’s been afforded over the past months. She is intent on continuing her work to create meaningful impact within society, the economy and the environment.

“I hope to always fearlessly believe in myself and my continual growth,” she says, “and to give hope to others who are like myself.”

References: 1. https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/press-releases/children-south-africa-high-risk-impacts-climate-crisis