Building a Sustainable Future: Students’
Role in Driving Change Towards the
Attainment of UN Sustainable
Development Goals
L
L
Letlotlo Letuka
Lawrence Mkhize
J
J
Jecinta Okumu
Julian Nwodo
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect
the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace
and prosperity. These goals provide a blueprint for
sustainability, addressing various global challenges
such as climate change, inequality, and
environmental degradation.
Students' impact on local
communities
1
Involvement in education & research
Students develop practical solutions to local challenges as a
result of early education on SDGs and research initiatives e.g.,
Witswatersrand mine waste project (invisible gold)
2
Community Gardens and Food Security
Students establish and maintain community gardens to
promote access to fresh, healthy produce e.g., UniZulu
gardens
3
Social Entrepreneurship Projects
Students initiate small businesses focused on sustainable
products or services, benefiting their communities e.g.,
SiyaBuddy; recycling and waste management
Education and awareness programs
for SDGs
Classroom
Workshops
Student
Conferences
Awareness
Campaigns
Engaging students
in interactive
workshops to raise
awareness and
understanding of
SDGs.
Organizing
conferences to
educate and inspire
students about the
importance of
sustainable
development.
Implementing
campaigns with
creative posters to
promote
understanding of
SDGs across
campuses.
Lifestyle
Choices
Education and
Capacity Building
Adopt sustainable lifestyle
practices in their daily lives,
such as reducing energy and
water consumption etc.
contribute to building
capacity for sustainable
development by
participating in educational
programs and workshops.
Research and
Innovation
Conduct research projects
focused on sustainable
development issues and
propose innovative
solutions to address them.
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
What role should students play towards
achieving SDGs?
Focuses on ensuring
availability and sustainable
management of water and
sanitation for all. It addresses
issues such as access to safe
and affordable drinking water,
sanitation facilities, and
proper hygiene practices.
Aims to conserve and
sustainably use the
oceans, seas, and marine
resources. It addresses
challenges such as marine
pollution, overfishing,
habitat destruction, and
ocean acidification.
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Aims to ensure healthy
lives and promote wellbeing for all ages. It
addresses various health
issues, including
communicable diseases,
maternal and child health,
mental health, and access
to essential healthcare
services.
• 64 out of 96 wastewater treatment plants in
the Free State are in a critical state.
• Only 3 out of 19 municipalities in
the province have drinking water that meets
minimum microbiological and chemical
compliance standards.
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Water and Wastewater
Treatment
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Failed WWTPs across the Free State
Provinces
Confirmed cases
Suspected cases
Free State
11
6
54.5
Gauteng
176
35
19.89
Limpopo
4
4
100
Mpumalanga
2
2
100
North West
6
0
0
Total
199
1073
Mortality
47
% Deaths
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Table 1. Death distribution across provinces in South Africa due to cholera outbreak in 2023
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Bainsvlei WTTP
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
North-East WTTP
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
SterkWater WTTP
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Wastewater treatment plants efficiency
 To determine the pathways of pollution and its mitigation.
 Assess the impact of poor-quality effluent on surface water in the province.
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Research Direction
Challenges Faced by Students in
Driving Sustainable Change
Lack of Funding
Resistance to Change
Securing financial resources
for sustainability projects can
be difficult.
Traditional mindsets and
resistance within communities
may pose challenges.
Policy Barriers
Community Engagement
Understanding and navigating
complex regulatory policies
can be daunting.
Engaging diverse
communities and
stakeholders in sustainability
efforts requires careful
planning.
Success stories:
ENACTUS South
Africa
ENACTUS South Africa is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring
students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. They
empower young leaders to create sustainable impact in their communities
by implementing projects that address the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Success stories: ENACTUS at CUT
SDG 1: No Poverty
CUT ENACTUS 2022 National Champions
The CUT ENCATUS Village Fa project in collaboration
with the Gladstone Village in Thaba Nchu, Interstate Bus
Lines and Patriot Vision in action (PAVA)
Collaboration with other organizations
working towards UN SDGs
Strategic Partnerships & collaborations ENACTUS South Africa collaborates with top
government agencies and industry leaders to
ENACTUS South Africa collaborates with diverse
achieve sustainable development goals. The
organizations to leverage expertise and resources
organization works closely with the Ministry of
for impactful projects.
Finance, Department of Education, and major
corporations to create impactful initiatives.
Future Opportunities for StudentLed Sustainability Projects
1
Community Engagement
Partnering with local communities for impactful projects
2
Corporate Collaboration
Engaging with businesses for sustainable initiatives
3
Policy Advocacy
Influencing policies for environmental and
social change
Students have the opportunity to drive sustainability through community
engagement, corporate collaboration, and policy advocacy. By partnering with local
communities, students can lead impactful projects. Collaborating with businesses
can generate sustainable initiatives, while influencing policies contributes to
environmental and social change.
Call to Action for Student
Participation in SDGs
• Join a local sustainability club: Collaborate
with like-minded peers to drive change
• Volunteer for community clean-up activities:
Contribute to a cleaner and greener environment
• Educate peers about SDGs: Host workshops
to raise awareness and inspire action
Thank you
for
Listening