By Fanelo Maseko, Loxion News
In a powerful move to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders, Vodacom South Africa has launched the Eco-Warriors Sustainability Competition — a groundbreaking, learner-led initiative driving youth action for a sustainable future.
The nationwide competition calls on Grade 9 to 11 learners from Vodacom-supported Schools of Excellence in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga to design tech-enabled solutions that address real environmental challenges in their schools and communities.
“The solutions to our biggest challenges are already coming from young minds,” says Takalani Netshitenzhe, Director of External and Regulatory Affairs at Vodacom South Africa and Chairperson of the Vodacom Foundation. “Eco-Warriors is our investment in a generation of problem-solvers who think boldly, act locally, and innovate sustainably. Through this programme, we aim to ignite lifelong purpose and community impact.”
Empowering Youth Through Sustainability and Technology
At its core, the Eco-Warriors campaign reflects Vodacom’s commitment to three key pillars — education, technology, and sustainability — which align with the company’s mission to empower people while protecting the planet.
The initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on:
- Quality Education (SDG 4)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
Tackling South Africa’s Environmental Challenges
Learners participating in the Eco-Warriors Competition will collaborate in teams to create projects across four pressing environmental themes:
- Waste Management
- Energy Conservation
- Water Conservation
- Biodiversity Protection
Projects can range from school recycling drives and solar-powered innovations to digital storytelling campaigns that raise awareness about environmental stewardship. Vodacom will guide students through virtual workshops, toolkits, and mentorship sessions, ensuring that each idea is both innovative and implementable.
Entries will be judged on innovation, creativity, technological use, feasibility, impact, and presentation quality. Winners will receive funding for their schools, implementation support for their projects, and feature opportunities on Vodacom’s digital platforms.
Building a Sustainable Future Through Collaboration
The Eco-Warriors initiative strengthens Vodacom’s ecosystem of purpose-led environmental partnerships, which includes collaborations with the Department of Basic Education, Circular Energy, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Through these partnerships, Vodacom continues to promote:
- E-learning accessibility for under-resourced communities
- Safe e-waste disposal and recycling
- Marine conservation and environmental awareness through digital tools
“We believe in the power of partnerships to scale impact and support purpose-led interventions such as the Eco-Warriors campaign,” concludes Netshitenzhe. “By working together across sectors and investing in education initiatives that promote environmental awareness, we can build a more sustainable future.”
A Green Generation in the Making
Vodacom’s Eco-Warriors Sustainability Competition is not just a call to action — it’s a movement to nurture a generation of environmentally conscious innovators ready to lead South Africa into a greener, smarter future.
