Musawenkosi Rosina Dlamini

Youth in Environment and Sustainability

Nominee's Province:
Mpumalanga

Age:
22

Project Name/Description:
Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/musawenkosidlamini.rosina

Dlamini joined the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEJMA) as an environmental monitor and volunteer when it was launched in 2016 in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Highveld. VEM, a non-profit organisation (NPO), tackles environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change and educates residents on how to care for the environment, for example, through recycling. Born and bred in the township, Dlamini, 22, says the air residents breathe is highly toxic and that doesn’t bode well for theirs and her health as she suffers from asthma and kidney failure. “I participate in our community awareness campaigns as well as marches against the abuse of the environment,” she says. “We need to learn how to protect our environment.” In 2019, VEJMA and groundWork, another environmental justice NPO, took the SA government to the Pretoria High Court demanding that it improves the poor ambient air quality on the Highveld. The two NPOs won the so-called ‘Deadly Air Case’. It’s a sweet victory for Dlamini after she wrote an affidavit as part of the supporting documents to build the case. Currently, Dlamini is doing Information Computer Technology NCV Level 4 at Nkangala TVET College, Emalahleni.