Makoma Lekalakala (South Africa)

Makoma Lekalakala (South Africa)

Director of Earthlife Africa and Member of the South African 

Presidential Climate Commission, Environmental Justice Leader

Makoma Lekalakala, Director of Earthlife Africa JHB and a formidable environmental justice activist, stands at the forefront of the fight against climate change and nuclear proliferation in South Africa. Her journey in activism is deeply rooted in her upbringing in Soweto, South Africa's largest Black township, renowned for its pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement. Reflecting on her formative years, Makoma stated, “I lived through my formational teen and adult years at the height of fighting apartheid. That molded me to be what I am.” This early exposure to activism shaped her unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice.

Dressed in vibrant colors and a traditional VhaVenda headscarf, Makoma is a striking figure even on a pixelated computer screen. “I go where the people are,” she shared, underscoring her dedication to being present wherever the fight for justice calls her—be it Johannesburg, Limpopo, or Durban. Despite her extensive list of accolades, including the Goldman Environmental Prize for Africa in 2018 and the Nick Steel Memorial Environmentalist of the Year award the same year, Makoma insists, “At my core, I am still just a coordinator of people, for people.”

Makoma’s leadership at Earthlife Africa is marked by significant victories, such as winning South Africa's first climate change legal court case against the government and reversing a nuclear deal between South Africa and Russia. Her efforts earned her the WWF Living Planet Award Honourable Mention in 2017. Earthlife Africa, under her guidance, educates local communities on climate change and amplifies their voices in national dialogues. “Our environmental struggles are linked to our social struggles,” she passionately asserts, highlighting the interconnectedness of these issues.

Currently, Earthlife Africa is challenging the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Limpopo, which threatens local biodiversity and the livelihoods of Black subsistence farmers. “When the environmental impact assessments are made, the data is all quantifiable. But you can’t quantify people’s spirituality and way of life—it’s embedded,” Makoma emphasized, pointing to the often overlooked cultural dimensions of environmental degradation.

Winning the Goldman Environmental Prize alongside Liz McDaid raised Makoma’s profile, bringing her message of climate justice to global forums. Today, she serves on South Africa’s first-ever Presidential Climate Commission, advising on the transition from a carbon-intensive economy to a low-carbon one. This role is crucial as South Africa, the largest greenhouse gas emitter in Africa, seeks to set a sustainable course for the future.

Reflecting on the upcoming COP27, Makoma expressed skepticism about its potential to improve African livelihoods. “COP27? It’s held in Africa, but don’t be confused—it’s not an African COP,” she stated, underscoring the need for Western countries to honor their climate commitments and compensate for the disproportionate climate-borne damages suffered by African nations.

Makoma’s favorite mantra, which encapsulates her approach to activism, is: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” She often tells community organizations feeling restricted by lack of resources, “You have questions, you have courage, and that’s what we’re going to use to do what we can.” Her enduring goal is to ensure that in South Africa’s clean energy future, no one is left behind.

As Makoma continues to advocate for climate justice, her dedication and strategic vision inspire countless others to join the fight for a fair and sustainable world.

(Information From German Climate Pavilion, Presidential Climate Commission, Goldman Prize)