TCTA continued its support for the Green Youth Indaba 2024:A Journey to a Greener Future by actively participating in and sponsoring the 9th annual event in Durban on June 13-14, 2024. The Indaba, themed “Nurturing Entrepreneurship, Cultivating Skills, and Attracting Global Green Economy Investments for Job Creation,” brought together hundreds of young leaders, environmental experts and industry professionals from across South Africa, all passionate about fostering a sustainable future.
Opportunities offered by TCTA at the Green Youth Indaba 2024
The Green Youth Indaba, hosted by the non-profit Green Youth Network, focuses on critical environmental issues such as water conservation, wetlands, waste management and skills development in the green economy. TCTA’s Socio-Economic Officer Florence Ndhundhuma explained that the organisation’s renewed sponsorship of the 2024 Indaba reflects its ongoing commitment to youth development and environmental sustainability. Additionally, it was the organisation’s way of celebrating Youth Month, which is designated for every June. The TCTA team at the Indaba highlighted its offerings relevant to the youth such as bursaries, internships and career opportunities. It also showcased the organisation’s contribution to the water sector.
TCTA’s Social Manager Tshiamo Legoale played a pivotal role in the event, participating in a panel discussion on June 13th titled “Laying the Base, from Policy to Action: Water Conservation Strategies in Response to Natural Disasters.” The discussion delved into the impact of infrastructure projects on host communities and how to navigate the complexities of balancing development with social and environmental responsibility. Ms Legoale’s copanellist was Thobekile Gambu, an environmental scientist from uMgeni Water, who provided valuable insights from a different state-owned entity’s perspective.
On the closing day, June 14th, Ms Legoale delivered a compelling presentation titled “The Socials: Why? When? How? The Importance of Social Impact Management as A Function of Environmental Management.” She emphasised the critical role of social impact management in ensuring that infrastructure projects not only benefit the environment but also uplift and empower local communities. Ms Legoale highlighted TCTA’s initiative-taking approach to social impact assessment, stakeholder engagement and community development initiatives, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to creating shared value for all stakeholders.
TCTA at the Green Youth Indaba 2024: A Journey to a Greener Future
A TCTA team comprising Ms Legoale, Ms Ndhundhuma, Stakeholder Relations Co-Ordinator Dudu Moremi and Corporate Editor Gaongalelwe Tiro manned the organisation’s exhibition stand at the conference. Over the two days of the Indaba, the team interacted with throngs of conference participants who visited the stand and made all manner of enquiries about bursaries, internships and business opportunities or sought general information about the work that TCTA does. The exhibition stand served as a hub for engagement and information sharing.
The TCTA Corporate Social Investment Strategy
According to Ms Ndhundhuma, the Green Youth Indaba has grown from strength to strength over the years and added innovations such as the Green Innovators Pitch Competition, a flagship initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing and showcasing the most innovative green technology solutions developed by young entrepreneurs across South Africa. She further explained that TCTA’s participation in the Indaba is aimed at achieving the objectives stated in the approved Corporate Social Investment Strategy with a special focus on promoting effective stakeholder engagement and community empowerment by TCTA.
