Mark Tadiwanashe Njowa - Founder of Leaf Union Zimbabwe
Children growing in the modern age are privy to new technologies and various opportunities which come with it. Creatives have also found their place in the race of modernisation and advanced development. Onita Sibanda (OS) talks to Tadiwanashe Mark Njowa (TMN) a young visionary working at the intersection of technology and arts.
OS: Welcome to the Weekly Guest Show, I’m your host, Onita Sibanda and I’m excited to explore the fascinating topic of children’s participation in Green Arts and Green Tech with our special guest Tadiwanashe Mark Njowa. Welcome to the Show Tadiwa! Kindly introduce yourself.
TMN: Thank you for the opportunity to present and talk to people on this platform, it really means a lot. My name is Tadiwanashe Mark Njowa, mostly known as Marca, an 18-year-old creative enthusiast from Harare, Zimbabwe. I am an aspiring filmmaker, musician, and I am into environmentalism. I am also the founder of Leaf Union Zimbabwe, an environmental organization that aspires a greener future by the youths. That’s where the green arts and green tech comes from.
OS: Wow! Thank you for sharing your introduction with us, Marca! It’s amazing to see a young individual like yourself pursuing multiple passions and making a positive impact in your community. What is green arts and how best can children be involved?
TMN: Thank you! We are trying our best. Well, Green arts is using creative expression to advocate for environmental conservation. Children can be involved by using art forms like poetry, music, and visual arts to raise awareness about environmental issues. Our most common is poetry because it’s much easier. I will share some works later in the session. Environmental issues are a serious business and not everyone learns through the same ways, so green art typically aims to show the same message for climate but in a creative manner.
OS: That’s a brilliant approach, Marca. Using creative expression to advocate for environmental conservation is a great way to engage children and make the message more accessible and fun. Please do share some of the poetry works later in the session. I’m sure our audience would love to hear them!
Basically, parents seem not to support children who take the arts route in support for the academic. How best can one strike the balance of pursuing green arts while excelling academically?
TMN: Thank you! It is something that is getting a good response in schools. Well, striking a balance between pursuing green arts and excelling academically requires dedication and passion. For me at school, during my Form 6, that was last year when I started leaf. By that time, I was the president of 5 clubs and I was doing two of the hardest subjects considered at A’ level which are Geography and Economics. So, even with all that tide against me, I had to do what’s right for me. As a child, it’s essential to know your path and stick to it. Parents may not always understand. For my parents to actually want to support me it was after I was chosen to collaborate on a film festival in UK.
I do urge parents to support their children. It’s mainly about dedication and knowing who you are. The issues are not really about parents but society at large.
OS: Marca, you are an inspiration! Balancing multiple responsibilities and pursuing your passion for Green arts despite the challenges is truly admirable. I will go to my next question. Green tech is not really a new term today. But, tell us more about it from your experience.
TMN: Well Green tech refers to sustainable technology, simply and for me that same technology can create businesses and jobs. It’s not a new term but recently it has been a trend and Zimbabwe is slowly getting there though despite being late to the race. It is very much crucial today as the world focuses on environmental conservation as I said. Take Solar businesses, for example, have seen significant growth, with a 22% increase in global solar installations in 2022 alone. In Zimbabwe, solar power has the potential to generate 1,400 MW of electricity, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels that’s why now maybe next year instead of waiting for the water to fill up again in Kariba Dam government is installing floating water panels as an alternative.
Green tech doesn’t end with solar, for example we have been doing an ice project of turning plastic waste to create ice and this ice is helpful to those who might have not solar connected fridges. That ice can eventually keep the fridge cool until power is back, we can also turn it into a fuel. Green tech has no barriers really.
OS: That’s amazing Marca! It’s exciting to see Zimbabwe embracing solar power and exploring innovative solutions like floating water panels. The statistics you mentioned are impressive, and it’s clear that the world is moving towards renewable energy sources.
The idea of turning plastic waste into a valuable resource like ice or fuel is a perfect example of the circular economy in action. It’s inspiring to see young innovators like you thinking outside the box and developing solutions that can make a real difference. Keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Green tech, the future needs more visionaries like you!
With poor ICT infrastructure in many rural communities and lack of training. What is being done to involve every child in green tech?
TMN: Well, to involve every child in green tech, it’s a very much collaborative effort really between the government and the community leaders and the teachers in rural schools because personally I learnt in a rural area in primary level. I do know the levels of lack of information, it’s high. But as an organization, Leaf Union, plans to establish Green Innovation Hubs, people can go and learn about green tech which is simple. We have hope that by next year we would have finished. We have plans to roll out three, one in Manicaland, the other in Bindura and the last one in Marondera. We are also planning to have more of what we call Mobile labs, these are basically make shift green tech labs in the form of a van that’s what we are planning to do in rural areas. These will aim to provide access to ICT infrastructure and training. This will help bridge the digital divide and empower young people to develop sustainable solutions.
OS: The potential impact of this project is immense, and I’m excited to hear about your plans to scale it up. Keep up the fantastic work, Marca, and I’m sure Leaf Union will make a significant difference in the lives of many young people. Let’s discuss about our education curriculum and green innovations! Do we have schools teaching this or it’s something one needs to learn on your own? If so, what’s your advise to the Ministry of Education?
TMN: The thing is while some schools teach green innovations, they are mostly private schools. In government schools, they are not really supporting this because it’s just a mind-set the system has, you know that we go to school to learn 1+1 whilst we should learn more advanced. Right now some people don’t understand why it didn’t not rain this year? They still don’t understand why we are in hunger. It is simply climate change and the reason why it hit hard in Zimbabwe is because we are less prepared, we have less knowledge. It is essential to make climate knowledge a core feature of the education system. I advise the Ministry of Education to implement climate education as part of the curriculum, following the lead of countries like Kenya and South Africa which have done so the African Union which controls Continental Education for Africa Strategy (CESA) they are looking into this more.
OS: You’re absolutely right, it’s crucial to integrate climate education into the curriculum, especially in public schools where access to information is limited. Keep advocating for this critical change, Marca! Your voice can inspire a movement that prepares Zimbabwe’s youth to tackle climate change and build a sustainable future.
You are an aspiring filmmaker! When given a chance and grant today! What’s the story you want to tell?
TMN: Personally, the story I think would mean the most to me is about the girl child. I didn’t have any idea of how a girl who was raped would look like until it happened to a family member. Now, I know the harshness and the trauma girls face so it really got to me you know. I have already started on the the project and hope it will be special and a good showcase for the girl child.
OS: I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had to experience the trauma of sexual violence in your family, Marca. It’s heart-breaking to see loved ones go through that. But I’m also inspired by your determination to turn that pain into purpose.
TMN: Yes, it’s a project that I really want to be special because I’m not only telling her story but I know there are many who also feel like her and hopefully they will be given a voice.
OS: It’s a powerful way to break the silence and stigma surrounding sexual violence and provide a voice for those who have been silenced. Keep shining a light on this important issue. Kindly share with us one of your poem on green advocacy and tell us the objective of the poem.
TMN: “The Earth cries out in anguish and pain,
As climate change ravages her fragile reign,
Rising temperatures, oceans that choke,
A future uncertain, a present that’s broke.
The ice caps melt, the seas rise high,
Extreme weather rages, the world asks why,
The clock ticks on, as we hesitate,
The consequences of inaction, our fate.
In Zimbabwe, fields once green and bright,
Now wither away, in drought’s harsh light,
Hunger pangs strike, as crops fail to grow,
A nation struggles, as climate change takes its toll, don’t you know.
Africa, a continent so rich and bold,
Now faces the wrath of a changing climate’s cold,
Droughts and floods, a vicious cycle spins,
Leaving millions vulnerable, as the future dims.
The science is clear, the warning is loud,
The time for denial is over, proud, we must act now, with courage and might,
To reduce emissions, and bring back the light.
Let us unite, to save our home,
For future generations, a livable dome,
The clock is ticking, the moment is near,
To combat climate change, and banish all the fear
@Marca
TMN: So this poem was mainly to help people realize the extent of the situation because Africa contributes about 4% in carbon emissions but we have suffered the most. So, it’s about waking Africans up and highlighting how much we have lost.
OS: Wow, Marca! Your poem is powerful. Thank you for sharing your talent and your passion. Keep using your voice to amplify the urgent need for climate action. How best can a media outlet like Besana best help children in green arts and green tech?
TMN: Well for me it’s just the coverage that’s important to be honest. Platforms like these can help a person, you might not know it. But, myself I am more determined than ever just because I was here today, so the coverage is important.
OS: You’re right, coverage and platforms like these are crucial in amplifying important voices and stories. It’s a way to connect with others, share experiences, and create a ripple effect of change.
OS: Your last words?
TMN: My last words are that in the Bible, David brought a rock to a sword fight and Moses led thousands but he had stage fright. Samson fought a 1000 soldiers with just a donkey’s jaw bone. It means, you are always enough, strive for greatness in whatever you do, don’t do it for the sake of doing it, but do it until you have reached a level where the world will recognize you. As Martin Luther King said, if a man is to be street sweeper may God look down and say here once leaved a great street sweeper and he should sweep the streets just like Michelangelo painted.
OS: What a powerful closing statement, Marca! You’ve left us with a treasure of inspiration and motivation. Your biblical references remind us that we all have the potential to make a significant impact, no matter our limitations. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, passion, and inspiration with us today, Marca. It’s been an absolute pleasure having you here. Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and we’re all better for having experienced this conversation.
TMN: Thank you for having me it has been a pleasure.
