Green teen sees efforts rewarded
Promising young environmentalist inspires others
MATRIC pupil Johara Naidoo likes getting her hands dirty, especially when she is doing her bit to save the environment.
Johara, 18, the deputy head girl at Parktown High School for Girls in Johannesburg, walked away with the Green Globe Youth4Youth Award at Southern Sun Montecasino in Fourways on Saturday last week.
She was selected for this award as a result of her active participation in environmental issues. The teenager is a member of Generation Earth, a youth environmental organisation founded by environmentalists Ella Bella and Catherine Constantinides.
Johara said she was also appointed as the South African Water, Energy and Food Forum youth ambassador for 2013-14 by its management team.
“The Green Globe Youth4Youth award is given to promising young change-makers who influence and carry out the message to the youth,” she said.
Johara has a keen interest in greening the environment.
“We are living in a complex time — the world’s resources are constantly under threat. We all have the responsibility of shaping, developing and managing the resources of the world.
“Generation Earth has convinced me of the value of the nexus approach to sustainability — the idea of an evolution to a greener economy through partnerships and collaborations across the generations,” said Johara.
As much as she is passionate about the environment, she also loves dancing and this year she received her school’s honours blazer for academics, leadership and dance.
She also received the Di van Zyl trophy last year, which she said was awarded to the best allrounder in cultural and academic activities.
She is also the captain of her school’s dance team.
Johara enjoys hip-hop, contemporary music and jazz and has participated in numerous national and international hip-hop competitions. She is also studying
“We are living in a complex time — the world’s resources are constantly under threat. We all have the responsibility of shaping, developing and managing the resources of the world
for her hip-hop teacher’s qualification.
She has her sights set on studying civil or chemical engineering next year and wants to focus on green engineering.
“I don’t intend to stop being involved in the environment after matric. I have big plans to keep my ambitions of creating a healthier environment going.
“My undergraduate studies will also be an appropriate vehicle through which I can continue to pursue my environmental interests,” she said.
Bella, founder of Generation Earth and an executive member of Miss Earth South Africa, said she had worked with Johara for years and was impressed with her drive to do things and get involved.
“Johara has been a part of Generation Earth for three years. She started up a Generation Earth council at her school and has helped other schools set up council too.
“She is a bubbly, outgoing person and has been instrumental in getting youths involved in environmental projects,” said Bella.