Elizabeth Gundu, winner of the Climate and Environment Impact Award, is a powerhouse in Marondera, Zimbabwe, and a celebrated leader in environmental advocacy. Recognized as one of the 50 most influential women in the nation, Elizabeth has made significant strides in promoting sustainability through her organization, Clean Marondera.
For Elizabeth, receiving The List Award signifies years of dedication and hard work. She shares, “The award is an acknowledgment of years of dedication and hard work and passion for environmental stewardship.” This recognition serves as a powerful motivator, encouraging her to push boundaries and advocate for a sustainable future.
The Impact of this recognition has been profound. “It has worked as the spark I needed to do better,” she explains, driving her to elevate her efforts for a cleaner environment. The most rewarding part of her work is witnessing the transformation in her community. “Seeing the environment clean and seeing that the new generation is willing to make the environment better” brings her immense joy.
Elizabeth believes the award validates her efforts, demonstrating to the community that “hard work truly pays off.” She advises aspiring changemakers to “work hard even when it seems like no one is watching because their hard work will do the talking for them.”
Her journey has taught her the importance of being the change she wishes to see. Winning The List Award has reaffirmed that her work is not in vain, giving her the confidence to strive for even greater achievements. “Now, with recognition, the sky is the limit,” she asserts.
Reflecting on her experience with The List Awards, Elizabeth found the process both “scary and exciting.” She appreciated the fairness of the nomination process and the gender-inclusive voting. While she valued the financial reward, she suggests increasing the award amount for future editions.
As an alumna, Elizabeth envisions organizing networking dinners to foster connections among changemakers and is eager to share her expertise to improve the awards.
Through her remarkable work with Clean Marondera, Elizabeth Gundu is not only reshaping her community but also proving that small actions can lead to significant transformations. Her dedication to environmental advocacy inspires others, highlighting the power of collective efforts in creating a sustainable future.