TakeOver Tuesday - How Can We Increase Youth Engagement And Voter Participation In The Upcoming National Elections’.

Guest: Sentle Nell, Academic Fellow at the European University Institute 

Having had extensive experience as one of the youngest black women in the renewable energy sector in South Africa, Ms. Nell is currently an Academic Fellow at the European University institute (EUI) and is the founder and Managing Director at Etsahale. Etsahale is a development consultancy that focuses on demystifying climate change in Africa. SENTLE NELL Her expertise relates to strategic management of internal and external stakeholders in the host communities where Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) operate in, this provided her with a deep understanding of sustainable development complexities. She has oversight on the IFC performance standards, Equator principals, ESG global practices and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She participates in various energy industry associations and has extensive knowledge of the Economic Development obligations, as set out by the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) under the ambit of the Dept. of Minerals & Energy of South Africa. She completed her master’s in science (MSc) at the University of Sussex, focusing on climate change strategies on the African continent.

 

Her undergraduate degree was in International Relations and Politics from the University of the Witwatersrand, she completed her Management Advancement Program from Wits Business School, which included a course at Pearson College in London, UK. As a seasoned development practitioner, speaker, and facilitator, she aligns policy dialogue among intergovernmental bodies, humanitarian, and development agendas. In 2021, she was selected as a Chevening Scholar. She was appointed as one of the McKinsey Next Generation Women Leaders for 2020 and in 2021 was appointed as a fellow in the Apolitical Academy forming part of the South African cohort. She presented at the European Parliament in 2023 on “EU-Africa Decarbonisation Strategy - State of play” and highlighted the importance of equitable funding for the continent. Her passion lies in empowering and supporting rural and isolated communities in mitigating towards Climate Change. She believes this synergy is possible with private sector and governmental support having viable discussions and viable projects for effective change.

TakeOver Guests

Guest: Dimpho Lekgeu, Youth Advisory Panel Member - Royal Danish Embassy in South Africa

Guest:Themba Patrick Mopedi, Founder of Community Change Makers