I believe in the potential of this continent and its people, and their ability to solve their own challenges and to grow the economy.

Dr Rethabile Melamu’s role as the general manager of Green Economy at The Innovation Hub entails three broad activities. The first is strategic: informing the activities that the organisation and provincial departments should pursue in driving the green economy transition for Gauteng. The second is overseeing the activities of the Green Economy Business incubation programme, called the Climate Innovation Centre South Africa, which provides commercialisation and scaling support to clean technology start-ups, with a focus on the energy, water and sanitation and waste sectors.

The third involves implementing initiatives that drive resource efficiency in industry and municipalities. An example is the Gauteng Industrial Symbiosis Programme, a waste exchange programme that has led to the diversion of thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills. As a woman who sits on a variety of boards, Melamu notes that the biggest challenge as a woman is the need to build credibility and exert oneself in order to be heard. She admits that over time, men have become more familiar and appreciative of her insights, which is all the more reason why more women need to be given opportunities, because many are just as qualified.

Although there are more women in government than the private sector, Melamu’s role is one of interfacing in an industry that is still largely male dominated. She says: “It is not uncommon to be mistaken for either a PA or an administrator in board meetings.” The only way to overcome these stereotypes is by equipping more women to occupy top positions.

In addition to the gender stereotypes, Melamu says she also has the challenge of overcoming perceptions around green economies to those outside of the industry. “There is a narrative that tends to portray the concept as elitist, expensive, exclusive and removed from addressing the real socioeconomic challenges, which couldn’t be far from the truth. In fact ,the concept of a green economy is more a philosophy on how to grow an economy in such a way that it reduces the impact on the environment, and takes into consideration the ecological scarcities,” she says.

“I believe in the potential of this continent and its people, and their ability to solve their own challenges and to grow the economy.” She believes that she can play a key role in turning the immense potential into reality, in pursuit of the aspirational AU vision 2063 and NDP 2030. As someone who holds public office, Melamu believes that working with young people is a big responsibility — to empower a generation that will one day be responsible for this country and continent.

Highlights of her career include: “When an entrepreneur gets that R1 million contract, or gets an export opportunity, and when those around me achieve things that seemed impossible at first.” Her advice to young girls is that they must pursue a career that resonates with their passion and talents, “because therein lies longevity”. She and a friend and have registered a business that promotes African designers, called Mwanga African Boutique.

— Welcome Lishivha

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