GREEN JOBS, BLUE SKIES

For many young people in Eswatini and Africa in general, climate action is often seen as activism. Something you do out of passion, not necessarily something to be taken seriously as a career path. But what if we had the opportunity to start looking at it differently? What if our society recognised environmental work as not just an urgent cause, but also as a pathway to building livelihoods, creating impact and securing a future that benefits both people and the planet? Because the truth is, it’s very possible. I have personally built a career out of climate action and I know first-hand that it is not always easy.

A recent LinkedIn post by Bianca Mdluli made me reflect on the fine line between volunteering and exploitation that often exists in climate advocacy. You can be as consistent as possible, put yourself out there and still feel like nothing is changing. But sometimes, all it takes is one breakthrough that transforms your life and suddenly makes you look like an overnight success, even though you’ve been working hard for years. For a young person in a rural area, the idea of working in climate-related fields may seem distant or even impossible. But across Africa, young people are proving that where there is a will, there is always a way.

Rural youth leading the green economy

To make this real, let’s look at what other young people in Africa are doing. In Kenya, Wanjuhi Njoroge, a climate activist and entrepreneur from the foot of Mount Kenya, has been leading community development projects since 2015. In 2017, she established a library in her village that supports local farmers to move to more sustainable farming practices. This proves that the education we acquire may not always land us full-time jobs, but it can still be of great value to the communities we come from. In Uganda, Joan Nalubega struggled with waterborne diseases growing up.

Rather than accepting this as normal, she turned that experience into motivation to develop an organic soap brand infused with traditional mosquito-repelling herbs, reducing malaria cases in rural communities while also running a successful social enterprise. Closer to home, youth from Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe started a Youth Talk – Climate Action radio show that educated and empowered young people to tackle environmental challenges in their communities. In addition to the radio programmes, WhatsApp and SMS was incorporated to engage more youth across different backgrounds. These are not just stories of luck. They are stories of young people who identified a challenge and turned it into an opportunity. They saw climate change not just as a crisis, but as a chance to innovate and create solutions that work and that is what we need in Eswatini.

The power of guidance and support

No one makes it alone. Behind every success story, there is always someone who chooses to guide, mentor or open a door. In my journey, I have been fortunate to meet elders who recognised my potential and held my hand through the process. Some shared opportunities, others reviewed my work and some simply encouraged me to keep going when I doubted myself. To those mentors, advisors and leaders who see potential in young people and choose to nurture it, I say thank you. Your kindness and willingness to support us are shaping the next generation of climate leaders.

May your generous hearts continue to push forward those who dare to dream. But for young people reading this, remember guidance does not always come knocking on your door. Sometimes, you have to seek it out. Ask questions. Reach out to professionals in your field of interest. If you don’t have direct access to them, follow their work online, read their articles and learn from their journey. Be intentional about building relationships that can help you grow.

When one door closes, find a window

One of the hardest lessons I have learned is that rejection is part of the process. If you are serious about building a career in the green economy, you will face many closed doors. You will apply for grants and not get them. You will apply for jobs and fellowships and not even get a ‘We regret to inform you letter’, you will pitch ideas and be told ‘there’s no money.’ But none of that should stop you. Stay consistent. Even if it means applying for just one opportunity per month, do it. Improve your skills, refine your ideas and keep pushing forward.

Success does not always come immediately but those who persist eventually break through. Eswatini’s young people have so much potential to drive climate action, not just as advocates but as researchers, innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs. The world is changing, and green jobs are becoming the future of work. Whether it’s in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management or environmental education, there is space for everyone to contribute and thrive. So, to the young person reading this: Your dreams are valid. Your efforts matter. Keep moving forward, and soon, you will find your way.

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