MAKING AN IMPACT
NET ZERO TODAY, CLIMATE POSITIVE TOMORROW
Africa’s leading green building gathering, the Green Building Convention brings together industry leaders, experts and change-makers in the field of sustainable development, all focused on helping create a better future for people and planet. Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect on the plenary stage this year:
Harnessing emerging technologies for a climate-resilient future
Brian Bosire is a visionary thinker, innovator and technology entrepreneur in agriculture, water and sanitation in Africa. As founder and CEO of agricultural technology company UjuziKilimo and virtual water network operator Hydrologistics Africa, Brian is dedicated to introducing African-made technologies to address hunger, water access and food security challenges across the continent. His pioneering work has earned him global recognition, including being named a United Nations Young Leader for SDGs and receiving prestigious awards from, among others, Forbes, One Young World, and the International Telecommunications Union.
Brian’s keynote presentation will explore the transformative power of emerging technologies and innovative design strategies in shaping a sustainable future. From smart grids to resilient infrastructure, he will delve into how these advancements are revolutionising the built environment, offering scalable solutions for reducing resource consumption and minimising environmental impact.
Building climate resilience in rural communities
Noxolo Kahlana is the founder and business development executive at Energy House ZA, an organisation that designs sustainable solutions for rural communities in South Africa. With more than 15 years’ experience in sustainability across various sectors, she is a passionate advocate for empowering youth and women while building climate resilience.
In her keynote address, Noxolo will explore the crucial building blocks for achieving net zero while ensuring the resilience of Africa’s rural communities. She’ll introduce her unique framework for sustainable rural development, driven by a deep concern for the ever-widening inequality in South Africa, where development has largely focused on urban areas. As Noxolo powerfully argues, a just transition to a greener future requires leaving no one behind. Channelling more resources towards rural communities is not optional – it’s essential in truly achieving a sustainable future.
Generative AI: a game-changer for African architecture
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising various fields, including architecture. This powerful technology offers unprecedented possibilities for architects, particularly in Africa, where design precedents might be limited.
Sechaba Maape is the director of Afreetekture and a senior lecturer at Wits School of Architecture and Planning. His expertise lies in the intricate interplay between people, place and climate change adaptation. He champions the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into contemporary architecture, as exemplified by his curation of the South African Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Join Dr Maape as he explores the potential of generative AI to visualise African future cities and how these tools can be harnessed to capture unique African design principles, fostering a future where cultural heritage, environmental consciousness and technological innovation converge.
Advocating for sustainability and food security
Paving the way for a more sustainable future is Anelisa Mgedezi, a remarkable 16-year-old visionary who embarked on her social impact journey at 10. Recognising the pressing needs of her community in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, she dedicated herself to pioneering innovative solutions that address both environmental sustainability and food security. Anelisa initiated a unique project that transformed her community’s approach to sustenance and environmental care, establishing a nursery where community members could swap eco-bricks for seedlings, promoting sustainable living and waste management.
Today, she is a strong advocate for food sovereignty, championing the power of growing your own food and reclaiming control over food production. Anelisa has become a role model for her peers and young girls in marginalised communities, encouraging them to cultivate their own food sources and take charge of their nutritional well-being. She is also a passionate advocate for clean water access.
A champion for clean air and environmental justice
Yola Mgogwana is a young climate activist from Khayelitsha whose journey as an advocate for environmental justice began at the age of 11. Fuelled by her passion, she has emerged as a powerful force in climate activism, working tirelessly to accelerate climate justice in her community and beyond.
Currently, Yola spearheads a clean air campaign that focuses on raising awareness about the detrimental effects of climate change on marginalised communities. Through this initiative, she collaborates with younger girls in her community, empowering them to become active agents of change and fostering a sense of urgency around environmental preservation.
In addition to her local efforts, Yola serves as a spokesperson for the African Climate Alliance, amplifying the voices of African youth in the global conversation on climate action. Her advocacy extends further as she is a young advisor for the Children’s Rights International Network, where she champions children’s rights and advocates for policies that prioritise their well-being in the face of environmental challenges.
On artivism and climate justice
As the clock ticks on the climate crisis, incremental changes to our flawed systems are no longer enough to make a fundamental difference. Kumi Naidoo brings a wealth of experience to the fight for climate justice. Formerly the Secretary-General of Amnesty International and the first person from the Global South to lead Greenpeace International, he currently inspires future generations as the Payne Distinguished Lecturer at Stanford University. His dedication to social change extends beyond his leadership roles, as he also serves as a global ambassador for Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity and advises the Community Arts Network.
A champion for human rights and environmental justice, Kumi will challenge us to fundamentally rethink our approach to climate change. His talk “Is Artivism the Missing Link in the Quest for Climate Justice Globally?” looks into the limitations of traditional methods and explores the potential of artivism – the powerful fusion of art and activism – to ignite transformative change.
Discover the future: embodied carbon – the next frontier
Now at the forefront of sustainability discussions, embodied carbon plays a vital role in transitioning the global built environment from a major climate crisis contributor to a key part of the solution.
Professor Francesco Pomponi is a leading global authority on embodied and whole-life carbon. During his prolific career, he has significantly contributed to national methodologies, international standards, and the advancement of data quality and transparency in this field. As the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Preoptima – an AI startup specialising in real-time whole-life carbon assessments – Professor Pomponi continues to drive innovation at the earliest stages of design. He also leads the Open Data for Climate initiative (ODCi), a globally funded project developing compliant carbon footprint data for underrepresented materials and geographies.
With a focus on current impacts and the urgency of the challenge, Professor Pomponi will address the complexities and diverse needs of the global built environment. He will also discuss the significant hurdles that remain, including regulations, standardisation, methodologies and data.
Empowering youth in environmental conservation
In a world where the built environment must balance the needs of both people and the planet, it is crucial for youth to play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
Environmental activist, and founder of non-profit and eco-friendly product distribution business Save a Fishie, Zoë Prinsloo’s journey began early in life. Her impressive background includes being a dedicated member of Girl Guides South Africa and attending the United Nations Youth Climate Summit.
Zoë actively participates in the Eden Festival of Action & Reforest Fest, planting 5 000 trees annually, and has volunteered with Operation Smile South Africa. Her dedication has earned her several honours, such as the Mayor’s Medal for Conservation and being listed among the Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders. Through her work, Zoë showcases the powerful role youth can play in creating a cleaner, greener world.
MC for the GBCSA Green Building Convention 2024
John Vlismas refuses to go quietly. His first career as a controversial stand-up comedian saw him appointed as a 46664 Ambassador for the Mandela Foundation, and perform at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Modern Art Museum and the Tempodrome, Berlin. John’s gravitation to the taboos that frame prejudice has won him a following of diverse fans who recognise his comedy as valid social commentary.
John heads strategy at OGO Productions – a company that provides Strategy, Production and Design to build better audiences. He was awarded an MBA scholarship at Henley Business School. His involvement resulted in his co-designing and facilitating course material with Dr Puleng Makhoalibe.
