Nkosilathi Nyathi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2003 (age 21–22) |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | Climate advocacy |
| Awards |
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Nkosilathi Nyathi (born 2003) is a Zimbabwean climate activist and UNICEF Climate Advocate. He has been involved in promoting Zimbabwe's climate and environmental agenda from an early age. Through his work, he has sought to inspire young Zimbabweans to take active roles in mitigating the impacts of climate change within their communities.
Nyathi began his activism by using visual media to document the effects of environmental challenges such as drought, flooding, and soil erosion in his hometown of Victoria Falls. His documentary work has highlighted the socio-economic damage caused by climate change and brought attention to the lived experiences of affected communities.
In addition to receiving several awards for his activism, Nyathi is known for his public speaking abilities and youth engagement. As a representative of UNICEF Zimbabwe, he has advocated for climate action at international platforms including the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid and the African Regional Summit on Sustainable Development. He co-leads a school green club and regularly participates in global virtual discussions aimed at empowering youth on climate issues.
Nyathi has travelled extensively to countries including France, Spain, Germany, the United States, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Zambia, Botswana, Gabon, and Côte d’Ivoire in connection with his advocacy work.
He is considered one of the youngest Zimbabweans to achieve international recognition in climate activism. Outside of activism, Nyathi is also a voice-over artist, poet, and public speaker. He enjoys playing golf and cricket, although he is not an avid sports fan. He maintains a relatively low public profile, with his management noting that this allows him to live more freely and unrecognised in daily life.
Nyathi is a practicing Christian and has credited his faith as a motivating force behind his achievements. He is also described as a development strategist, with several projects reportedly in progress. His TED Talk gained significant attention online, becoming one of the most viewed TED Talks by a Zimbabwean activist. [1]
He began his activism journey at the age of 10 and continues to advocate for youth inclusion in decision-making processes related to climate policy. [2] [3] He has argued that meaningful youth participation in climate justice is not possible without representation at decision-making levels. [4] Nkosilathi was at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid campaigning for more climate actions and youth inclusion from world leaders. [3] [5]
Nkosilathi Nyathi was raised in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. He traces the beginning of his environmental activism to a moment of personal reflection at a local garbage dumping site, where he became more conscious of environmental issues in his community. [6] At the age of 11, while in Grade 5 at Chamabondo Primary School, he began to observe the effects of climate change in his surroundings. [6] [7]
In 2019, Victoria Falls experienced its worst drought in a century. [3] [8] [9] Across Zimbabwe, approximately 7.7 million people were reported to be food insecure, with 45 million people across southern Africa at risk of hunger. [10] [11] [12] In addition, eight districts in Zimbabwe recorded acute malnutrition rates of over five percent. [11] These environmental and humanitarian challenges prompted Nyathi to begin educating his community about climate change and advocating for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. He has stated his commitment to continue campaigning until policymakers take significant climate action. [8] [13]
As a student, Nyathi was a leader of the Ozone Defenders Club, a climate-focused initiative at his primary school. [9] In 2016, he led the establishment of the first biogas plant in Victoria Falls, aimed at converting organic waste into sustainable energy. [14] The plant is currently used to prepare food for students. [9] [13]
Although not active in sports, Nyathi is recognised for his strong oratory skills, which he has used to advocate for environmental policy reform. [6] [15] His efforts earned him recognition from UNICEF, which supported his participation at the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) in Madrid. There, he shared a panel with international leaders, including John Kerry, the first United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. [6]
In 2020, he delivered a speech at the Group of Friends of Children and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Victoria Falls. [4] [14] He also participated in the Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition event in Milan, Italy, and attended Expo 2020 in Dubai. Nyathi has also featured in a TED Talk and continues to gain international recognition for his advocacy.
In 2021, he participated in World Children's Day events alongside regional leaders such as Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Namibia's President Hage Geingob, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. He has also met former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, former Norwegian Minister of International Development Dag Inge Ulstein, and former Irish President Mary Robinson. [16]
As a member of his school's press club, Nyathi writes educational articles focused on climate change and environmental issues. [16]
Nyathi was appointed as the UNICEF Youth Climate Ambassador for Zimbabwe in 2015. [16] [17] He has also served as a Youth Ambassador for Greenline Africa, an environmental organisation, since 2014. [16]