Tiyani Hahlani

A youth-led organization in Masvingo is spearheading climate action and community development initiatives in rural areas, aiming to tackle deforestation, hunger, and social challenges.

Social Economic Action and Transformation for Humanity (SEATH), founded in 2021, mobilizes rural youths to engage in climate action and ecosystem protection.

The group’s founding director, Tendai Mafuka, said her personal experience of hunger during the 2015 drought inspired the initiative.

“In 2008 and 2009 we had swamps and wetlands where we planted Zimbabwe rice and enjoyed bumper harvests.

“By 2015, rainfall patterns had shifted. Crops dried up before the rains came, and communities were left vulnerable. That is when I realized there was a need for change,” said Mafuka.

Despite lacking funding in its early years, SEATH partnered with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Masvingo City Health Department to run weekly clean-up campaigns.

The group has also trained 53 youths in Mwenezi and Chivi districts in detergent production and hosted sports galas in Summerton to build community cohesion.

Currently, SEATH is prioritizing tree planting to combat deforestation, while promoting renewable energy awareness.

According to Mafuka, at least 70 percent of rural households rely on firewood.

“We are replanting indigenous trees because they sink carbon, restore forests, and bring rainfall,” she said.

The organization is also encouraging rural youths to take up income-generating projects such as beekeeping, mushroom production, aquaculture, and biogas.

Community leaders say the initiatives are helping to reduce social problems, including drug abuse and early marriages.

The Ministry of Youth and the Forestry Commission are supporting SEATH’s activities through training and tree donations.

With new funding secured this year, the organization plans to expand its programs across Masvingo province.