--- title: Believe in South Africa's Youth description: Believe in better - these three words are what we live by, and we hope they will inspire you, and millions of other South Africans.  image: https://explore.wwf.org.za/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe8.jpg --- Toggle navigation - Our Work - [Oceans](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/oceans/) - [Land](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/land/) - [Wildlife](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/wildlife/) - [Food](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/food/) - [Climate & Energy](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/climate_and_energy/) - [Water](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/water/) - [WWF and Business](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/wwf_and_business/) - [All Initiatives](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/initiatives/) - [Our trusts](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_work/trusts/) - Our people - [Our history](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_people/our_history/) - [Our board & leadership](https://www.wwf.org.za/our_people/our_board_and_leadership/) - 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[Austria](https://www.wwf.at) - [Azerbaijan](https://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/azerbaijan/) - [Belgium](https://www.wwf.be) - [Bhutan](https://www.wwfbhutan.org.bt) - [Bolivia](https://www.wwf.org.bo) - [Borneo](https://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/) - [Brazil](https://www.wwf.org.br) - [Bulgaria](https://www.wwf.bg) - [Cambodia](https://cambodia.panda.org) - [Cameroon](https://cameroon.panda.org) - [Canada](https://www.wwf.ca) - [Caucasus](https://www.wwfcaucasus.org) - [Central African Republic](https://car.panda.org) - [Central America](https://www.wwfca.org) - [Chile](https://www.wwf.cl) - [China](https://www.wwfchina.org/) - [Colombia](https://www.wwf.org.co) - [Croatia](https://croatia.panda.org) - [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://www.wwfdrc.org) - [Denmark](https://www.wwf.dk) - [Ecuador](https://www.wwf.org.ec) - [European Policy Office](https://www.wwf.eu) - [Finland](https://www.wwf.fi) - [France](https://www.wwf.fr) - [Gabon](https://gabon.panda.org) - [Germany](https://www.wwf.de) - [Greater Mekong](https://greatermekong.panda.org) - [Greece](https://www.wwf.gr) - [Guianas](https://www.wwfguianas.org) - [Hong Kong SAR](https://www.wwf.org.hk) - [Hungary](https://www.wwf.hu) - [India](https://www.wwfindia.org) - [Indonesia](https://www.wwf.or.id) - [Italy](https://www.wwf.it) - [Japan](https://www.wwf.or.jp) - [Kenya](https://www.wwfkenya.org) - [Korea](https://www.wwfkorea.or.kr) - [Laos](https://www.wwflaos.org) - [Latvia](https://lv-pdf.panda.org) - [Madagascar](https://www.wwf.mg) - [Malaysia](https://www.wwf.org.my) - [Mediterranean](https://mediterranean.panda.org) - [Mexico](https://www.wwf.org.mx) - [Mongolia](https://mongolia.panda.org) - [Mozambique](https://www.wwf.org.mz) - [Myanmar](https://www.wwf.org.mm) - [Namibia](https://www.wwfnamibia.org) - [Nepal](https://nepal.panda.org) - [Netherlands](https://www.wnf.nl) - [New Zealand](https://www.wwf.org.nz) - [Norway](https://www.wwf.no) - [Pakistan](https://www.wwfpak.org) - [Papua New Guinea](https://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/papua_new_guinea/) - [Paraguay](https://www.wwf.org.py) - [Peru](https://www.wwf.org.pe) - [Philippines](https://www.wwf.org.ph) - [Poland](https://www.wwf.pl) - [Portugal](https://www.natureza-portugal.org) - [Regional Office Africa](https://africa.panda.org) - [Romania](https://www.wwf.ro) - [Senegal](https://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/senegal/) - [Serbia](https://www.wwf.rs) - [Singapore](https://www.wwf.sg) - [Slovakia](https://slovakia.panda.org) - [Slovenia](https://adria.panda.org/sl) - [South Africa](https://www.wwf.org.za) You Are Here - [South Pacific](https://www.wwfpacific.org) - [Spain](https://www.wwf.es) - [Suriname](https://www.wwfguianas.org) - [Sweden](https://www.wwf.se) - [Switzerland](https://www.wwf.ch) - [Tanzania](https://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/tanzania/) - [Thailand](https://www.wwf.or.th) - [Turkey](https://www.wwf.org.tr) - [Uganda](https://www.wwfuganda.org) - [Ukraine](https://wwf.ua) - [United Arab Emirates](https://uae.panda.org) - [United Kingdom](https://www.wwf.org.uk) - [United States](https://www.worldwildlife.org) - [Vietnam](https://vietnam.panda.org) - [Zambia](https://www.wwfzm.panda.org) - [Zimbabwe](https://zimbabwe.panda.org) ## BELIEVE ## IN BETTER ## YOUTH MONTH 2024 # Meet the young pioneers leading the way In South Africa, the mission to protect our environment isn't just a goal — it's a movement powered by passionate young people who envision a brighter future. Our "Believe in Better" campaign highlights four inspiring young leaders making waves in environmental activism. These changemakers, each with a unique vision and relentless drive, embody a spirit of hope and action.   Dive into their stories and discover how their belief in a better tomorrow is sparking real change. Ready to be inspired and join the movement? Believe in better with us! ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Dean Carlisle](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Dean Carlisle3](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle3.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle3.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Dean Carlisle5](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle5.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle5.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Dean Carlisle7](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle7.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle7.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Dean Carlisle8](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle8.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Dean%20Carlisle8.jpg) ### DEAN CARLISLE (Lessons In Conservation) At just 21 years old, Dean Carlisle founded [Lessons In Conservatio](https://www.lessonsinconservation.com/)n an organisation focused on educating schools in impoverished areas about our relationship with nature. Today, Dean and his amazing team have taught over 8,500 children across 110 schools in11 African countries.   "Ideas are pointless until you put them into practice." ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Esethu Cenga](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Esethu Cenga3](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga3.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga3.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Esethu Cenga5](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga5.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga5.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Esethu Cenga7](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga7.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga7.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Esethu Cenga8](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga8.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Esethu%20Cenga8.jpg) ## ESETHU CENGA (Rewoven Africa)   Esethu Cenga is the co-founder of Rewoven Africa, a startup focused on recycling textiles to cut down on fashion waste. Esethu believes the key to the future lies in adopting sustainable practices that value people and the planet, not just chasing profits.   "We're transforming waste into opportunity." ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Didi Mathibe](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Didi Mathibe5](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe5.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe5.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Didi Mathibe3](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe3.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe3.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Didi Mathibe7](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe7.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe7.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Didi Mathibe8](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe8.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Didi%20Mathibe8.jpg) ### DIDI MATHIBE (WWF South Africa)   Didi Mathibe is tackling the plastic pollution crisis. Her job as a Circular Economy Analyst with WWF South Africa is to find out how we can keep materials like plastics out of nature. With her expertise in sustainable development and a passion for conservation, Didi promotes circularity through more efficient design and use of materials, sustainable consumption and waste reduction. "People and our natural world are intertwined" ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Jade Bothma](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Jade Bothma3](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma3.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma3.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Jade Bothma5](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma5.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma5.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Jade Bothma7](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma7.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma7.jpg) ![WWF\_Youth\_Campaign\_Instagram\_Feed\_1080 x 1350\_px\_Jade Bothma8](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma8.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=WWF_Youth_Campaign_Instagram_Feed_1080%20x%201350_px_Jade%20Bothma8.jpg) ### JADE BOTHMA (Oceano Reddents) At just 15, Jade has already formed her own impact organisation, Oceano Reddents a non-profit that turns plastic litter from the ocean into eco-bricks to build houses for homeless people. Raised in Cape Town with the ocean at her doorstep, Jade's deep passion and love for the sea drive her ongoing fight for its protection, one piece of plastic at a time. "We are the people who are going to make a change in the world." ## Feeling inspired? ## Sign up to our newsletter and join the movement! ![Wildlife–Primary-image](https://explore.wwf.org.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Wildlife%E2%80%93Primary-image.jpg?width=1449&height=2000&name=Wildlife%E2%80%93Primary-image.jpg "Wildlife–Primary-image") ![WWF](https://d1diae5goewto1.cloudfront.net/_skins/capetown/img/logo.png) A future in which people and nature thrive. [Oceans](https://www.wwf.org.za//oceans/) [Land](https://www.wwf.org.za//land/) [Wildlife](https://www.wwf.org.za//wildlife/) [Food](https://www.wwf.org.za//food/) [Climate](https://www.wwf.org.za//climate/) [Water](https://www.wwf.org.za//water/) [mailto:info@wwf.org.za](mailto:info@wwf.org.za) [SA Coronavirus website](https://www.wwf.org.za//sa_coronavirus_website/) [Contact us](https://www.wwf.org.za//contact_us/) [Vacancies](https://www.wwf.org.za//vacancies/) [Access to information](https://www.wwf.org.za//access_to_information/) [Privacy](https://www.wwf.org.za//privacy/) Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a [Creative Commons licence](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en). ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://25789756.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25789756/Dean%20Interview.mp4", "dateModified" : "2024-06-10T09:50:12.264Z", "duration" : "PT2M44S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "Dean Interview", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://explore.wwf.org.za/hubfs/Dean%20Interview.mp4/medium.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2024-06-10T09:50:12.258Z", "width" : 1080 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://25789756.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25789756/Esethu%20Interview%20.mp4", "dateModified" : "2024-06-10T09:48:27.508Z", "duration" : "PT2M53.419S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "Esethu Interview ", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://explore.wwf.org.za/hubfs/Esethu%20Interview%20.mp4/medium.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2024-06-10T09:48:27.500Z", "width" : 1080 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://25789756.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25789756/Didi%20Interview.mp4", "dateModified" : "2024-06-11T12:15:26.933Z", "duration" : "PT3M17S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "Didi Interview", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://explore.wwf.org.za/hubfs/Didi%20Interview.mp4/medium.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2024-06-11T12:15:26.926Z", "width" : 1080 } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://25789756.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25789756/Jade%20Interview.mp4", "dateModified" : "2024-06-10T09:49:34.244Z", "duration" : "PT2M15S", "height" : 1920, "name" : "Jade Interview", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://explore.wwf.org.za/hubfs/Jade%20Interview.mp4/medium.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2024-06-10T09:49:34.238Z", "width" : 1080 } ```