Gwynne Liversage was born in KwaZulu-Natal, collected many pieces of hand-painted fabric in Kenya where she grew up, and then followed her passion for people and the environment by studying Social Anthropology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This all foreshadowed her passion for collecting stories from communities around the world.

With an MPhil in Environmental Humanities, also from UCT, she is now interning with Sustainable Energy Africa as an environmental journalist. Gwynne may have lived in many places, but communications and communities are her spiritual home, and she has landed in just the right space.

We posed a few questions to Gwynne to find out more about her passions, inspirations and aspirations for the future:

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about my community and the way it interacts with the environment. I am passionate about people and ensuring a just future for all.

What inspired your choice of study?

After completing my undergraduate studies in Anthropology, I was still passionate about people and communities, but I wanted to look at these areas from an environmentalism and sustainability perspective. The degree that I chose for my Master’s allowed me to continue engaging with anthropological work, with a focus on the environment.

What excites you about your internship?

I am excited about getting real-world experience in a workplace and from sustainability projects. I am also excited to see the various roles in the workspace and to witness how a team dynamic can work within an organisation focused on sustainability.

What are your expectations of this internship?

I hope to gain confidence in my work and contribute valuable ideas to the organisation. I want to learn how a communications team can work within the field of sustainability and hone my skills in social media management. I also hope to gain some skills in project management.

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

I want to be a part of the global conversation on environmental awareness, especially in the form of storytelling and visual media. Through visual storytelling, I hope I can aid in the journey towards a more protected environment. I also want to raise awareness about different lives and stories from across the globe with sustainable solutions as the end goal.

Who inspires you most and why?

My dad was my first introduction to the world of sustainability as he pursued a career in agricultural development. It was so interesting to hear about his fascinating projects across the globe and the different communities he interacted with. All this inspired me to follow a career where I can involve myself in community projects, help communities have a voice, and get their stories heard.