Rooted in Change: A Journey of Leadership, Growth, and Climate Action

 

By Waborena Harmony Madisha, Former Climate Change Program Officer (2024), UNICEF UJ

UNICEF UJ Volunteers with Padel Green, City of Johannesburg, JMPD and UJ Community Engagement Volunteers after cleaning Hillbrow Recreation Center

                                              SOWING SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY

Being a volunteer, leader, and Climate Change Program Officer under UNICEF UJ has been an extraordinary journey of growth, collaboration, and impact. It has shown me that meaningful change requires more than just ideas, it takes hands in the soil, teamwork, and a commitment to sustainability. Reflecting on the initiatives we’ve championed; I feel both humbled and inspired by what we’ve accomplished together. 

 Cultivating Leadership Through Action 

In leadership, I’ve discovered that growth comes from doing. Whether organizing a clean-up or planting a garden, I learned that leading by example is the most effective way to inspire others. People are drawn to actions they can see, touch, and feel part of and our department’s projects embody this hands-on approach.

Leadership also meant listening and collaborating with a variety of partners, from schools and community groups to local government officials. Each interaction reinforced the power of collective action and how small efforts, when aligned, can create big waves of change. 

 Milestones That Took Root 

1. Restoring Port Plein Park: A Clean Sweep for Community Pride

On September 23, 2024, our team partnered with Padel Green, City of Johannesburg and ABSA to clean-up the Port Plein Park in preparation for the Absa Marathon. This initiative underscored the power of partnerships, as we collaborated with the local community, demonstrating how unity can restore public spaces. Not only did it create a cleaner environment, but it also raised awareness about littering and pollution. This initiative reminded me that restoring public spaces also restores a sense of community pride. When people see their parks clean and green, they are more likely to cherish and protect them. 

2. Hillbrow Recreation Center: Partnerships in Action 

Our clean-up at the Hillbrow Recreation Center on August 31, 2024, brought together partners like Padel Green, the City of Johannesburg, and the JMPD. This event exemplified how partnerships can amplify impact, reclaiming urban spaces and turning them into hubs of community engagement and environmental care. 

3. Growing Hope in Vrededorp: A Garden That Feeds Futures

On October 10, 2024, we co-planted a garden with the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Africa in Vrededorp. This garden now provides food for over 150 children, demonstrating how sustainable solutions can nourish both bodies and minds. Beyond the vegetables, it plants the seeds of hope and possibility within the next generation. 

Lessons in Growth and Resilience 

Each initiative taught me that growth whether personal, communal, or environmental is not always linear. There were challenges along the way, from logistical hurdles to unpredictable setbacks. But I learned that resilience and adaptability are essential ingredients for success. Every obstacle became an opportunity to problem-solve, reflect, and improve. 

I also realized that patience is key. Climate action is a long-term endeavor, and the fruits of our labor don’t always show immediately. But with persistence, even the smallest efforts like picking up litter or planting a seed begin to bloom into something meaningful over time. 

Looking to the Future: Deepening Our Roots 

As we move forward, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Our mission is far from over, there are more spaces to restore, more partnerships to build, and more seeds of change to plant. We will continue to explore new ways to engage the community, cultivate sustainable habits, and inspire others to take action. 

This journey has shown me that true leadership is about empowering others to see themselves as changemakers. It’s not just about making the world greener today but about nurturing a mindset that will last for generations to come. 

Together, with our hands rooted in the soil and our hearts committed to change, we can create a future where sustainability is second nature and every garden we plant reminds us that growth begins with one small seed.  

UNICEF UJ Volunteers with Padel Green and the city of Johannesburg after cleaning up Port Plein Park