African Climate Alliance Podcast

In this episode, we return to South Africa, where young activists took on government plans for new coal-fired power through the #CancelCoal campaign — a landmark youth-led climate litigation effort that challenged how energy decisions are made and whose futures they prioritise.

About Season 3

In this episode, we travel to Kenya, where droughts, floods and rising temperatures are reshaping daily life. But despite these challenges, young people are leading powerful climate justice work from both urban and rural spaces.

We meet two youth activists, Christopher and Cece. Christopher uses journalism and filmmaking to educate communities about climate change and renewable energy, while Cece uses storytelling and social media to engage people and inspire action. Their work turns climate education into something tangible, helping communities see themselves as part of the solution.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How young activists are addressing the impacts of drought, floods and human–wildlife conflict in their communities
• The use of storytelling, media and social campaigns to make climate education accessible and actionable
• Their vision for a future where youth lead climate solutions and no one is left behind

This episode shows that real climate action is not only about policy or technology. It grows in communities where young people are discovering their agency, resilience, and the possibility of a climate-resilient future.

About Season 3

For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives, our communities, and the choices we make.

In this episode, we travel to Malawi, where droughts, cyclones and energy shortages are reshaping daily life. But despite these challenges, young people are leading powerful climate justice work from an unexpected place: the classroom.

We meet two youth activists who partner with primary schools to teach children about the environment through storytelling, art, games and hands-on projects. Their approach turns climate education into something relatable and empowering, helping learners see themselves as protectors of their communities.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How young climate activists are turning classrooms into spaces for environmental learning and leadership.
  • The use of storytelling, art, games and hands-on projects to make climate education relatable and empowering
  • Their vision for nationwide climate education where every primary school teaches children to care for their environment.

This episode shows that real climate action does not only happen on global stages. It grows in classrooms, where young people are discovering their agency, resilience and the possibility of a just future.

About Season 3

For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.

In this episode of the African Climate Alliance Podcast, we focus on Zimbabwe, where young people, particularly women, are standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Across the country, the impacts of climate change are being felt in everyday life. Droughts are leaving families without food and water, while climate migration and menstrual health challenges are deepening existing inequalities. Through the voices of Christina, Wayne, and Anesu, young activists and students who are leading action in their communities, we explore how youth and gender come together to drive resilience, justice, and hope.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How rising temperatures and water scarcity are affecting young girls’ health and education.
• The experiences of women left behind as men migrate in search of work during worsening droughts.
• The creativity of rural communities that are developing local, low-cost climate solutions.
• The urgent need for inclusive decision-making and gender-responsive climate financing.

Despite the challenges, these young Zimbabweans remind us that communities already hold many of the solutions to the climate crisis. What they need is recognition, support, and access to resources. Their message is clear: climate justice can only be achieved when everyone is included.

Attributions 

This episode includes references to and excerpts from reporting by:

Al Jazeera English 

• France 24 English - 'Crying from hunger': Zimbabwe drought hits children (2024)
• ITV News - The evidence climate change is driving Zimbabwe into crisis (2025) 
• Al Jazeera English - Cyclone Idai: Families hunt for missing relatives in Zimbabwe (2019) 

We acknowledge and thank these outlets for their important journalism, which provided context and insight for this conversation. These excerpts were used under fair use for commentary.

About Season 3

For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.

Episode 1

In this episode of the African Climate Alliance Podcast, we focus on Zimbabwe, where young people, particularly women, are standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Across the country, the impacts of climate change are being felt in everyday life. Droughts are leaving families without food and water, while climate migration and menstrual health challenges are deepening existing inequalities. Through the voices of Christina, Wayne, and Anesu, young activists and students who are leading action in their communities, we explore how youth and gender come together to drive resilience, justice, and hope.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How rising temperatures and water scarcity are affecting young girls’ health and education.
• The experiences of women left behind as men migrate in search of work during worsening droughts.
• The creativity of rural communities that are developing local, low-cost climate solutions.
• The urgent need for inclusive decision-making and gender-responsive climate financing.

Despite the challenges, these young Zimbabweans remind us that communities already hold many of the solutions to the climate crisis. What they need is recognition, support, and access to resources. Their message is clear: climate justice can only be achieved when everyone is included.

About Season 3

For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.

In the final episode of our Cancel Coal season, we're in conversation with Reverend Rachel Mash. We unpack the fundamental role of spiritual leaders in activism, while exploring the intersections, physical, and spiritual worlds, and how it can inspire tangible change within society. 

Reverend Rachel is the Environmental Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini). She is a member of the United Nations Environment Programme's ‘Faith for Earth’ task team on pollution. She also works with the Green Anglicans Movement which has spread from Southern Africa to 13 African countries.

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

• Cancel Coal website
• Sign the petition to Cancel Coal
• Join the Cancel Coal Youth Task Force

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

• Check out our website
• Follow ACA on Instagram

In the fourth episode of our Cancel Coal season, we’re in conversation with Zen Mathe and Michael Marchant from Open Secrets - an organisation holding powerful private actors to account for economic crimes. Together, we uncover the power and money dynamics within South Africa’s energy landscape as well as the lessons that can be learned for achieving an equitable and just energy transition. 

Zen Mathe holds a BA International Studies degree from Stellenbosch University and a PGDip in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership. She previously worked as a postgraduate researcher at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST), where she engaged in research around State Capture and governance issues. Zen is currently completing her MPhil in Sustainable Development.

And Michael Marchant is the Head of Investigations at Open Secrets. He holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Edinburgh, a PPE (Hons) from the University of Cape Town (UCT), and an LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Michael was the lead researcher on Apartheid Guns & Money: A Tale of Profit

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

• Cancel Coal website
• Sign the petition to Cancel Coal
• Join the Cancel Coal Youth Task Force

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

• Check out our website
• Follow ACA on Instagram

In the third episode of our Cancel Coal season, we chat to climate advocacy lawyer, Brandon Abdinor, from the Centre for Environmental Rights, as we explore the legal aspects of the Cancel Coal court case, its constitutional basis, and the implications on South Africa's energy future.

Brandon Abdinor joined the Centre for Environmental Rights as a Climate Advocacy Lawyer in 2021. In this role he engages with climate change related laws and policies with a view to helping ensure that these are effective and advance the needs of climate justice for all. The role includes liaising with a wide range of stakeholders to gather and share information and build consensus around legal advocacy in pursuit of an increasingly sound and just climate change response.

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

• Cancel Coal website
• Sign the petition to Cancel Coal
• Join the Cancel Coal Youth Task Force

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

• Check out our website
• Follow ACA on Instagram

In the second episode of our Cancel Coal season, we hear from Lebohang Dube of the Center for Child Law at the University of Pretoria who shares about the Deadly Air court case, how the South African Constitution protects people's right to a healthy environment, and how we can use the legal system to hold the government to account and call for a just energy future for all. 

Lebohang Dube is a candidate attorney at the Centre for Child Law. He holds an LLB from the University of the Free State and is currently doing his LLM in Environmental Law at the University of Pretoria. His background includes student activism as a former Students for Law and Social Justice leader, and a Young African Leaders Initiative fellow. He has professional and grassroots experience including community organising and education in sexual and reproductive health rights, mining-affected communities and child rights. 

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

• Cancel Coal website
• Sign the petition to Cancel Coal
• Join the Cancel Coal Youth Task Force

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

• Check out our website
• Follow ACA on Instagram

In the first episode of our Cancel Coal season, we go to the frontlines to speak to Promise Mabilo, from Vukani Environmental Movement, who shares about the impacts of coal on health, wellbeing, and everyday life.

Promise is an activist based in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga where most people living in the area are victims of breathing toxic air and in the heart of coal fired power stations and coal mining production. Promise is also a Coordinator at Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action or VEM. Together with African Climate Alliance and Groundwork, VEM is one of the applicants taking the South African government to court in the landmark Cancel Coal court case that is calling for an end to new coal in South Africa.

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

• Cancel Coal website
• Sign the petition to Cancel Coal
• Join the Cancel Coal Youth Task Force

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

• Check out our website
• Follow ACA on Instagram