Thembi Getrude Nkanda
Women in the Environment and Sustainability
Nominee's Province:
Free State
Project Name/Description:
Understanding how our behaviour impacts the environment is extremely important to Thembi Getrude Nkanda, who comes from Zamdela, who currently coordinates a community outreach programme at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in the Sasolburg area, Free State. Nkanda says it has always been her childhood dream to make a difference in the world, adding that working with the community, particularly young people, affords her the privilege to live her passion. It was her love for science and the environment that shaped her decision to choose a career in the environmental and sustainability space. “The way the environment is managed impacts people’s livelihoods. It is, therefore, important to ensure that we all understand that we need to use resources in a sustainable manner for the benefit of current and future generations,” says Nkanda, who made a career switch in 2019 after trying her hand at public relations. Prior to taking up studies at the University of North-West, where she completed a Certificate in Environmental Law, she had qualified with a National Diploma of Public Relations Management and a Bachelor in Technology degree from the Vaal University of Technology. Nkanda says she is content with her current duties that include managing relationships between the department and the municipality, plus educating the community about the importance of preserving nature.
