Ayakha Melithafa

Ayakha Melithafa is a South African philanthropist and activist. She is currently the youngest commissioner on the Presidential Climate Commission and public representative of the African Climate Alliance. Quotes It is our duty to make sure that our future and that of future generations is safe I saw a problem, and decided to act by advocating for urgent climate justice in my country to make sure no African child is left behind in the just transition to 100% renewable energy. Sometimes I feel like I am being used as a token. Since our leaders are failing us, we really should try to be active citizens and participate in these spaces as much as we can, so we can hold them to account, because no one is coming to save us We do not know if we might get robbed or not, but that does not stop us from continuing our work We understand the risks,” she says, “but we are willing to work regardless of them I will never surrender activism because I have seen how much of a difference the work I do has made It's important that everyone plays their part in making sure that our future and the future of the next generation is safe and sustainable Ayakha Melithafa n.d It’s very important for poor people and people of color to go to these protests and marches because they are feeling the wrath of climate change the most. It’s important for them to have a say, for their voice and their demands to be heard Ayakha Melithafa n.d I strongly believe our world leaders should take more pronounced climate change action All of the decisions that are being made right now impact children now, and more so in the future I am counting on young people to help me strengthen the education system It has its challenges but I have seen how beautiful it is for young people to be involved in these spaces because we too get to have our voices heard Children are very creative and innovative, so we need to focus on making it fun. THE INTERVIEW: AYAKHA MELITHAFA 26 May, 2023 We have to speak the language of hope before we speak the language of critique Feature: Ayakha Melithafa Says, Companies Should Put The Climate Crisis Firmly On Their Agenda. n.d it is their responsibility to take care of their people and make sure their rights are not violated. Climate awareness in South Africa is indeed very low and there are many ways to increase it It works when you have the dedication and a strong support system behind you every step of the way I want to speak for the environment because it is voiceless and it has been violated enough by us I want to find ways to help the environment as best I can and make sure we leave it in a better state than we found it – for the sake of future generations Drought made me a climate activist 18 October, 2019 People who are older aren’t paying as much attention because they will not be as affected. They don’t take us children seriously, but we want to show them we are serious We are living the way people are afraid to live when climate crisis hits in privileged communities This is our world, not ‘I have my country. You have your country Meet SA's 17-year-old climate activist, Ayakha Melithafa 27 September, 2019 Poor people of colour, especially the youth, should join protests and marches. They are most susceptible to the effects of climate change and should have their voices heard and their demands met Teenage African climate activist a driving force against climate change 22 June, 2021 If there’s a possibility for a person from the Global South to be able to partake in these activities, we should grab it [with] both hands, and make sure that we hold the Global North accountable for all of the decisions and greenwashing they are doing here. We have to make sure that we partake in these strikes, to make sure that we disable the white saviourism narrative that’s getting pushed – that it’s only white people or white youth who care about climate change – because we care as well. We are on the ground; we are on the forefront if we don’t make them uncomfortable and if we don’t ask these difficult questions about finance and investing in the Global South, then who will? We are speaking, but they’re not really listening to what we are saying It’s all talk, but very little to no action is being made That’s the narrative that we have to break – that the Global South is aware, the Global South has skills. And that we are brilliant I shouldn’t be doing this. I should be caring about my studies; I should be hanging out with my friends, I should be able to trust the leaders in our country that they will take care of us and put our best interests at heart But it’s very clear that we can’t trust our own leaders and countries, and we have to hold them accountable because they have their own vested interests, and they have no problem betraying the youth and selling our futures to benefit them Young South African climate activist gives the Global South a voice in Glasgow 13 November, 2021 We always thought climate change is happening slowly, but now it is just plummeting MEC Debbie Schäfer meets with Ayakha Melithafa 16 February, 2021 I want people to know that not only privileged people are aware of climate change. They aren’t the only ones that experience problems. Many privileged people might be protesting because the quality of the water is getting bad, but people of colour have been drinking that water all along, and they feel lucky just to have water Climate Justice for All: Ayakha Melithafa 19 May, 2021 The people that are often affected the most often don’t cause the problem it can’t just be privileged people doing all the talking, you have to hear marginalised voices as well Cape Town teen climate activist Ayakha Melithafa takes drought to the UN 26 September, 2019 I saw a problem and decided to act by advocating for urgent climate justice in my country to make sure no African child is left behind in the just transition to 100% renewable energy by protesting with the African climate alliance at parliament so that our president hears our cries and acts accordingly. I have always been connected to nature and believed in its healing abilities both emotionally and physically It hurts me to see that we have come to this point where we are exploiting nature Since nature can’t speak for its self I decided to stand up and speak for it I believe it is because black communities especially those in lower income areas are already experiencing issues like poverty, unemployment, crime, Gender Based Violence etc so climate change is the last thing on their minds Say no to single use plastics we as black communities need to stop being passive and expecting someone else to save us We have the voice we must rise up like the youth of 1976 and use our voices to fight these injustices as one voice I wish that the older generation could wake up and realize that we can’t eat money and we can’t drink oil . wish that we find the strength to dismantle the capitalistic society we live in so that we can stop the exploitation of the poor . I wish that we can come together and fight all of the socioeconomic injustices that we are facing today and leave this earth clean and inhabitable for the generations to come Ayakha Melithafa Climate-Change Activist 28 October, 2020 The climate justice movement is led by young people. If we are given the knowledge and the resources, we will definitely stand up against all the injustices we are facing and fight for our future #Women4theClimate: Meet Ayakha Melithafa, an African environmental activist making her voice heard 8 September, 2021 External links AYAKHA MELITHAFA Category:Women activists from South Africa Category:Philanthropists Category:Living people