At just 22, Sthuthukile Conco from Pietermaritzburg has been recognized as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2025 in the Climate Change and Environment category. She’s making waves in climate justice.
Currently a postgraduate law student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Conco founded Rural Agrarian Climate Education (Race). This youth-led initiative arms rural farmers and students with climate knowledge in their native languages, making the information accessible and relatable.
Supported by the Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers Fellowship, Race has become a vital platform for education and community sustainability. This movement empowers individuals to take charge of their environmental challenges, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Conco’s journey has taken her to significant forums, such as the Climate Justice Camp in Tunisia and the G20 Youth Summit in Brazil. At these events, she proposed innovative ideas like community micro-powered grids to improve energy access, emphasizing the need for decentralized electricity.
She also represented South Africa at the Freedom for Internet in Africa Forum in Senegal, where she connected climate justice with internet freedom—highlighting how access to information can empower communities.
For Conco, the recognition from Mail & Guardian is more than an accolade; it confirms her mission. “It shows that your starting point doesn’t limit your impact. If you use your voice, the world will listen,” she expressed.
Growing up in KwaZulu-Natal, she saw firsthand how agriculture supports rural communities and how climate change threatens these livelihoods. This fueled her passion for service and justice, shaped by her parents, who work in education.
“Understanding agriculture’s role in our lives made me aware of the urgent need for climate action,” Conco shared.
Her impressive achievements extend to being chosen for the African Commission’s elite human rights defender training and serving as president of the Golden Key International Honour Society at Wits. Additionally, she mentors future leaders through the World Bank’s Max Thabiso Edkinson Programme.
Conco believes in a world where marginalized voices are included in decision-making. As she continues her work, she carries a message from her roots—everyone deserves a seat at the table.
According to a recent study by the World Economic Forum, youth engagement in climate initiatives is crucial. Nearly 60% of young people feel their voices are overlooked in environmental policies. Conco’s story is a reminder of the power of youth activism and the importance of inclusion in the climate conversation.
Her journey showcases not only individual determination but also the growing movement advocating for climate justice across the globe.
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KZN, Mail & Guardian, News, Pietermaritzburg, Sthuthukile Conco, sustainability
