BREAKING BORDERS, SHAPING CLIMATE FUTURES

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BREAKING BORDERS, SHAPING CLIMATE FUTURES
BREAKING BORDERS, SHAPING CLIMATE FUTURES

Africa-Press – Eswatini. Makhosazana Masuku Mzileni, a 30-year-old environmental scientist from Siteki, is showing that hard work, sacrifice, and a strong dream can take you far, even across countries and continents.

A wife, mother, and two-time African Union scholarship recipient, Mzileni’s journey is one of academic excellence, personal resilience, and a deep commitment to climate change policy in Africa.

Raised in Siteki, Mzileni says her love for nature began early, even when the environmental field was far from mainstream. “All I knew was, I loved nature,” she shared. When it came time to choose a course at university, she applied to study Environmental Health Science at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), not fully knowing what it would entail. Looking back, she says that decision laid the foundation for everything that followed.

She graduated in 2017 and, four years later, earned the prestigious African Union scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Management in Nigeria. She graduated in 2022 and was awarded the same scholarship again in 2023, this time to study in Algeria, where she recently completed her second master’s degree in Climate Change Policy this May. “It wasn’t a straight path,it was a journey filled with persistence, applications, and a belief that I could compete at a continental level,” she said. “Of course, my family and husband encouraged me to apply, and without their support, I would not have done it.”

Living and studying in two vastly different regions of Africa transformed Mzileni’s worldview. In Nigeria, she found inspiration in the country’s energy and innovation, especially in environmental policy and urban development. In Algeria, she learned patience, cultural adaptability, and the strength to thrive in a multilingual, multicultural setting.

“Both countries are very different, right down to their religion and practices expected of outsiders,” she reflected. “But I adapt quite quickly. Even my immune system surprised me, I never needed a hospital stay throughout both programs.”

Yet, the journey was not without heartache. While studying abroad, she faced the most painful challenge of her life: the loss of her father. She could not return home for his funeral. “That has been the hardest challenge I’ve faced so far,” she said. “When I missed my family, I could call them, thank God for technology, but losing my dad from so far away was heartbreaking.”

Despite the emotional toll, Mzileni never lost sight of her mission. Her focus now turns to turning academic insight into real-world change. She aims to contribute to climate policy development in Africa, through government advisory roles, international organizations, or climate finance. Her goal is to empower industries and communities to transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient futures.

“I want to work on solutions that bring both grassroots transformation and influence global climate governance,” she said.

Her story is especially inspiring to young African women navigating education, family life, and career dreams. “You can,” she said simply but powerfully. “I managed to get my postgraduate education while being a mother and a wife. No one knows how much you want something besides you.”

To those afraid to take the first step, she offers this advice, “Believe that you belong in the rooms you dream of entering, even if you’re the first or only one there. Ask questions, seek mentors, and don’t wait to be perfect to start. You’ll stumble, but every challenge sharpens your strength.”

As Makhosazana Masuku Mzileni steps into the next phase of her journey, her message is clear: purpose, persistence, and authenticity open the doors to powerful change. And she’s not done yet.

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