Dec 7, 2025 | News, Uncategorized, Young Reporters
Late November 2025, the Durban Scouts hosted a Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) workshop at the Malvern Scout Hall. The session was facilitated by the WESSA and focused on equipping young scouts with practical skills to investigate, document and report on environmental issues affecting their communities.
Building reporting skills for environmental action
The programme introduced participants to the Young Reporters for the Environment methodology, which guides young people through identifying local environmental challenges, conducting research, and communicating findings through articles, photography or video. Structured activities and group discussions enabled scouts to develop story ideas related to local biodiversity and waste management.
The workshop concluded with participants expressing interest in submitting entries to the national YRE competition. The Durban Scouts will now begin preparing their submissions, contributing youth-led perspectives to environmental reporting and awareness efforts in South Africa.
Regional scouting leaders support environmental learning
The workshop was attended by key representatives from the KwaZulu-Natal Scouts leadership, reinforcing the role of environmental stewardship within Scouting programmes. Special guests included KZN Scouts Regional Commissioner Mr Greg Southey, Regional Training Chair Mr Lynton Cloete, Group Scout Leader Mr Guy Caw, and Assistant Troop Leader Ms Jenny Powell.
All were actively involved in the session and supported the engagement with participating scouts.
Jul 22, 2024 | News, Young Reporters
Young people across South Africa are being empowered to investigate, document, and communicate environmental issues in their communities.
Through the ‘Youth Environmental Reporters and Advocates’ (YERA) programme, led by UNICEF South Africa and WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, we aim to build learners’ climate literacy and environmental knowledge, and enhance communication and reporting capacities on the local issues that matter to them.
“I am excited to learn how to raise my voice to create more awareness about the pressing environmental issues in our school and community,” said Saron Gidiso, a grade 10 learner at Marklands Secondary in Chatsworth. Another grade 10 learner, Imithle Mkhize, from Glenhaven Secondary in Tongaat stressed the importance of taking action now so that authorities could address the issues of water shortages, pollution and littering to create a more pleasant environment.
“If we don’t speak about it as the youth, then who will?” she said. “These are things that affect us in our daily lives. We see it. We might turn our heads when we see a piece of paper and ignore it, but it affects us in the long run.”
Over the next eight months, the YERA programme will be implemented across four provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape. It will target 40 schools (ten in each province), empowering 400 young reporters.
“The YERA programme embodies our commitment to environmental and social justice,” said Cindy Cloete, WESSA CEO. “By empowering young people, we are shaping a new generation of environmental champions who will lead the fight against climate change and advocate for sustainable solutions. We are thrilled to partner with UNICEF on this critical initiative and look forward to its transformative impact.”
Young people’s voices, particularly girls, often remain stifled, disconnected, and under-supported in the vital call for urgent action against the climate crisis and other environmental challenges they face. The ‘Climate, Energy, and Environment Landscape Analysis for Children in South Africa’, released by UNICEF South Africa in late 2023, reiterated the importance of increasing the visibility of children and young people in the climate and environment agenda to ensure policies and actions that respond to their specific needs.
“Empowering learners and young people, particularly girls, through education and nurturing their skills will build on their local knowledge to help raise their voices and strengthen action on local climate and environmental challenges,” said Christine Muhigana, UNICEF South Africa Representative.
“Young people are exposed to climate and environmental challenges today, they are best placed to tell that story and we need to respond to their needs by directly influencing climate policies and related community level adaption efforts,” added Muhigana.
Through a series of training, the programme will educate participants in investigative journalism, environmental science, and advocacy skills to enable young reporters to be champions of the environment. The workshops will utilise WESSA’s ‘Young Reporters for the Environment’ (YRE) methodology, with one of the key outputs being journalistic works produced by each participating school for distribution across a range of online and media platforms.
By working together, we can all ensure that youth in South Africa, especially girls, are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and platforms needed to raise awareness, influence policy, advocate for the environment, and take meaningful action.
“This programme is an important step forward in further nurturing environmental awareness among learners in South Africa and we hope the programme can be expanded in the coming months and years to benefit more South African schools,” said the KZN Department of Basic Education acting Chief Education Specialist, Lazi Mtwa.
The programme is made possible thanks to generous funding through the UNICEF Canada National Committee.
Watch the launch of the new programme.
For more information about the YERA programme and how you can get involved, contact Nomfundo Ndlovu at nomfundo.ndlovu@wessa.co.za
May 25, 2024 | Success Stories, Young Reporters
The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme empowers youth to investigate and report on environmental issues affecting their communities and the world. Through various mediums such as articles, videos, and photography, candidates explored topics ranging from biodiversity conservation to climate change mitigation.
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 National Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Competition. After reviewing numerous exceptional submissions from talented young individuals around the country, our panel of judges has selected the top entries in each category: Video, Article, and Photography.
Video Category Winner: Nonjiwu Dumisa
Age: 17-years old
School: Zwelethemba High School
Title: How does fire affect people, fynbos, and the greater environment and what is its impact on climate change?
Nonjiwu’s compelling video focused on the dual nature of fire and its impact on ecosystems, particularly fynbos, a unique type of vegetation native to South Africa. His project explored how fire is an essential ecological process that can pose severe threats if not managed properly. By highlighting the critical balance needed to protect and maintain biodiversity, Nonjiwu’s video brings a vital perspective on the role of fire in ecological sustainability and the challenges posed by climate change.
Click here to see Nonjiwu Dumisa’s submission
Article Category Winner: Deeya Kalian
Age: 12 years
School: Trinityhouse Glenvista
Title: The Dirty Truth: Confronting the silent epidemic of illegal dumping.
Deeya Kalian was selected as the winner in the Article category for her exceptional investigative work on the issue of illegal dumping in South Africa’s diverse landscapes, highlighting its emergence as a critical environmental threat in Johannesburg. Deeya’s article sheds light on how illegal dumping not only spoils natural beauty but also poses significant health risks and complicates community efforts toward sustainability. Her compelling narrative calls for urgent action and accountability to tackle one of Johannesburg’s biggest environmental challenges.
Click here to read Deeya Kalian’s submission
Photography Category Winner: Phoebe Steyn
Age: 17
School: Hoerskool Zwartkop
Title: Suffocating Existence
Phoebe Steyn is our winner in the Photography category, with her evocative photograph titled “Suffocating Existence, Suffocating Life.” These powerful images feature a small, resilient green plant thriving in a harsh, ostensibly suffocating environment, symbolising hope and the potential for life under adverse conditions. Phoebe’s work beautifully captures the essence of persistence and adaptability in nature, reminding us of the resilience required to confront environmental challenges.
Click here to read Phoebe Steyn’s submission
We applaud Dumisa, Deeya, and Phoebe for their outstanding contributions to environmental journalism. Each winner has showcased exceptional talent and demonstrated a commitment to promoting greater environmental awareness and action through their talents.
The YRE Competition aims to empower young people to take a stand on environmental issues they are passionate about, and these winners have exemplified just that. Their work has been published and also entered into the YRE International Competition, where they will compete on a global stage with other top entries from around the world.
