Nokwanda Nokwanda (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

The Beyond Expectation Environmental Project (BEEP) drives transformative conservation by empowering marginalized communities, especially youth. It combines nature-based healing, climate adaptation, and skills development to build inclusive, resilient, community-led conservation models. Through initiatives like the Urban Heat Adaptation and Youth Skill Advancement Project, BEEP develops conservation leaders and eco-entrepreneurs. By merging environmental science, indigenous knowledge, and youth leadership, BEEP creates a scalable model for healing ecosystems and promoting social justice.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

Nokwanda Gcaza is a dedicated environmental leader and Deputy Director of the Incubations at Beyond Expectation Environmental Project (BEEP), a youth-led conservation initiative based in Cape Town, South Africa. In her role, she focuses on integrating cultural heritage with environmental stewardship, emphasizing the importance of ancestral knowledge in conservation efforts.

Her commitment to environmental education and community development has been recognized with the Ecological Award in the Youth Category in 2017, highlighting her significant contributions to youth-led conservation initiatives.
My work promotes inclusive conservation practices that empower marginalized communities and integrate traditional knowledge systems. Through her leadership at BEEP, she continues to inspire and mentor young individuals, fostering a new generation of environmental stewards committed to sustainable and culturally resonant conservation practices.

How can people learn more about or support your work?

Learn more about the Beyond Expectations Environmental Project (BEEP) on our website, Facebook, or at Beyond Expectations Environmental Project (BEEP) on all social platforms. We would appreciate and are open to discussing all kinds of partnerships. 

A Little More About Me

Where do you feel most at peace and why?
I feel most at peace when I am hiking, being surrounded by nature heals my soul.

If a genie granted you one wish, what would it be?
To provide Beyond Expectations Environmental Project with funding so we can continue helping our communities without worry.

What makes you most excited to be an EE30U30 awardee?
The network that comes with this platform and recognition of the work I have been doing. 

What is one thing about you that might surprise others?
I am afraid of the dark.