Tsholofelo Kohitlhetse

Tsholofelo is a passionate young woman dedicated to protecting South Africa’s freshwater resources. She was born in Schweizer-Reneke, North West province, and later moved to Krugersdorp, Gauteng, where she completed high school. Her frequent travels between these provinces sparked her deep love for nature and how organisms are affected by water.

She holds an Honours degree in Environmental Science from the University of the Free State. Combining the knowledge gained from university and community exposure from field trips, Tsholofelo was inspired to lead two grassroots NPOs: ‘Your Environmental Right’, which focuses on raising awareness about environmental issues and encouraging community action, and ‘Fruit of Education’, which assists high school learners to identify their purpose and career path.

In 2023, Tsholofelo worked as an intern for the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism on various projects such as biodiversity economy, compliance and wetland monitoring. Now pursuing a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, she is determined to enhance her research skills and make a significant impact in freshwater conservation.