Mbali Sbahle Gumede grew up in KwaZulu-Natal but currently stays in Pretoria. No stranger to hardship, her faith keeps her going and her tenacity once saw her successfully writing an appeal to the dean of a university when she received a rejection letter. 

Mbali grew up in the rural town of Ixopo and later pursued her higher education first at the University of Zululand and then the University of Cape Town where she completed an LLB and an LLM in Environmental Law. She is currently placed with South African National Parks (SANParks) and her work involves providing legal support in park expansion, development and planning. When she’s not working, Mbali can be found listening to music or curled up with a faith-based book. 

We spoke to her to find out more about what drives her and where she sees her future heading: 

What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about inspiring people to see their very existence as an invitation to do better and become better versions of themselves. I find the idea that people can change and grow through self-development fascinating. 

What inspired your choice of study? 

Growing up in rural Ixopo, I loved being outdoors, fetching firewood with my grandmother, swimming in streams and walking barefoot out in nature. However, when I moved to Umlazi as a teenager, I became aware of spatial inequality. I realised that a little girl growing up in Umlazi would not experience the environmental benefits that I had grown up with and this inspired me to study history with the aim of later pursuing law, specialising in environmental law. As I learned how South Africa’s past planning laws shaped who had access to environmental benefits, my passion for environmental and spatial justice grew. 

What excites you about your internship? 

I am excited to learn from SANParks staff and deepen my practical understanding of environmental governance to promote sustainability within parks. I look forward to engaging with conservation stakeholders, state authorities and the public to address the balance between human activity and conservation.  

What are your expectations of this internship? 

I hope to enhance my skills in handling legal matters related to park expansion, planning and development. I am eager to collaborate with SANParks staff and external stakeholders to gain valuable insights and build my professional network. This internship offers a unique opportunity to learn from environmental leaders and grow as a practitioner. 

What contribution do you hope to make towards a future in which people and nature thrive? 

I aspire to be part of a team that addresses spatial injustice and promotes environmental justice so that both people and nature can thrive. 

Who inspires you most and why? 

My siblings inspire me the most. As the firstborn, they motivate me to be better and work harder. My desire to set a good example for them drives my work ethic. They also teach me about my strengths and areas where I need to grow.