Kgabo advocates passionately for climate action

POLOKWANE – Kgabo Legodi, a 29-year-old certified Youth Climate Champion, is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for climate action.

Her passion for environmental justice began in her youth, growing up in a rural farming community where she witnessed firsthand how climate change impacted her parents’ agricultural practices.

“I saw how our produce was affected, which motivated me to make a difference,” she said.

Her journey into climate advocacy began in 2015 when she joined the University of Limpopo’s Biodiversity Student Society.

There, she learned about the importance of sustainable farming practices like crop rotation, soil preservation, and organic manure use.

“This is where my deep interest in climate justice truly began.”

In 2020, Legodi’s commitment to environmental change took her further when she was accepted into the Community Engagement Exchange Programme (CEEP), a collaboration between the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the University of the Witwatersrand, and Howard University in the US.

Through the programme, she connected with other young activists focused on policy change and food security. She completed the programme in 2022.

That same year, Legodi joined the Youth Climate Champion (YCC) bootcamp, a project led by WWF South Africa and the Climate Ambition to Accountability Project (CAAP).

“The YCC aims to empower young people and youth organisations involved in climate change advocacy,” she explained. Legodi was one of five participants representing Limpopo in the programme, which facilitates collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the creation of climate-focused activities such as bootcamps, podcasts, training, and internships.

The bootcamp, launched under the CAAP, seeks to address the fragmented involvement of young people in South Africa’s climate policy processes.

“Youth are often marginalised, with limited access to resources and opportunities,” Legodi noted.

Since its inception, the programme has incubated 25 young climate activists in South Africa, providing them with the tools and support to drive meaningful change.

Legodi’s advocacy work has taken her to different countries, enriching her global perspective.

One of her most memorable experiences was visiting Namibia, where she connected with indigenous communities in Herero Land.

“We danced, rode horses, and feasted together. Namibia’s arid climate and abundant sunshine were fascinating,” she recalled.

In 2023, Legodi’s work reached the United Nations. She co-produced a film alongside researchers from Germany and the United States, which was screened at the UN headquarters in New York.

“It was an honour to see my story shared as part of the 2024 YCC lesson plan,” she concluded.