BY TASEKHAYA DLAMINI
For Zandisile Howe, advocacy has never been about visibility alone. It has always been about impact. From the pageant stage to global climate platforms, she has used every opportunity to champion environmental justice, women’s leadership, and youth empowerment.
Her journey shows what happens when purpose meets preparation. Whether representing Eswatini on international stages, breaking records, or leading climate conversations at home, Zandisile continues to demonstrate that meaningful leadership is grounded in service.
In this Career Chat with Khuluma Eswatini, she reflects on purpose, resilience, and the power of using every platform to drive change that matters.
TASEKHAYA: How did winning the pageant feel like for you?
ZANDISILE: It felt like a win for the planet. It symbolised that environmental advocacy was finally being recognised on a national platform. It was bigger than the crown, it showed young people passionate about sustainability have a place in leadership. That moment reminded me that purpose always outweighs expectation.
TASEKHAYA: What did it take to achieve a Guinness World Record?
ZANDISILE: It was about being part of something bigger than myself. I joined women from across the world singing about equality in our own languages. It celebrated diversity, unity, and women’s empowerment. More importantly, the message continues to inspire people beyond the record itself.
TASEKHAYA: How did you turn your crown into a platform for impact?
ZANDISILE: Pageantry is often misunderstood as being about beauty alone, but it demands leadership, problem-solving, and community engagement. My campaign focused on environmental challenges in Eswatini through awareness and education. The crown became a tool to drive meaningful conversations and action.
TASEKHAYA: How did soccer shape your climate advocacy?
ZANDISILE: Playing soccer at the University of Eswatini taught me resilience, discipline, teamwork, and preparation. Climate advocacy requires those same qualities. Not every idea succeeds immediately, you must stay adaptable, consistent, and focused on the bigger goal.
TASEKHAYA: What does feminist climate justice look like in practice?
ZANDISILE: It means recognising that climate change affects people differently, especially women in rural communities. Their voices and lived experiences are essential in shaping solutions. Climate justice means ensuring women are included in decision-making and leadership spaces.
TASEKHAYA: When did your journey stop feeling local?
ZANDISILE: That shift happened when I began representing Eswatini internationally. Meeting global leaders, including Bill Gates, and attending major conferences made me realise our local ideas can shape global conversations. Our country may be small, but our impact can be significant.
TASEKHAYA: Did visibility open doors or raise pressure?
ZANDISILE: Both. It opened doors to collaborate with organisations like the Embassy of the United States in Eswatini and the Eswatini Tourism Authority. It also came with greater expectations. I embraced that responsibility because titles fade, but impact remains.
TASEKHAYA: How do you make climate conversations relatable?
ZANDISILE: My academic background in environmental science and language helped me translate complex ideas into everyday understanding. I use storytelling, practical examples, and relatable content. When people understand how climate change affects their health, water, or livelihoods, they are more willing to act.
TASEKHAYA: What should young girls learn from your journey?
ZANDISILE: They should learn to dream without limits. Coming from Eswatini should never limit ambition. Education opened many doors for me. What they should not copy is delaying their dreams. You do not need perfect conditions to begin, start where you are.
TASEKHAYA: What should the world understand about Eswatini?
ZANDISILE: Eswatini is far more than its culture and traditions. We are home to innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and changemakers building globally relevant solutions. Our size should never be mistaken for our potential. The world is only beginning to discover what Eswatini has to offer.
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