Anelisa Mgedezi

Anelisa Mgedezi started to find her voice as an intersectional climate activist at 12 years old. She attended her first global climate march at the age of 11 outside Parliament in Cape Town to support her friend Yola Mgogwana in delivering a speech about the need for climate justice to about 2000 fellow pupils.

Now 14, Anelisa regularly speaks out on issues that directly affect our planet – their neighbourhood – at a tipping point in climate history. She also runs a food security campaign mentoring 10 girls between the ages of 9 to 11 to help teach their community about the importance of growing their food and also holds food dialogues.

Anelisa understands that her voice has to travel far in the face of so much climate inaction in many sectors of society.

One action you’d like people to do to help your work

“I want to continue to help my community by growing food systems that can support and feed families and nurture our environment. One of my dreams is to start a nursery, but funds and mentoring have been an issue. If you are willing to help or have a wealth of information about starting and running a nursery in an informal settlement, I would appreciate your support.”

Follow Anelisa on Instagram.