North-West University (NWU) staff member Mamello Maema has recently been selected as one of the 100 Brightest Young Minds in the World Food Programme (WFP) for Southern Africa.

Mamello says the programme aims to build networks across Africa for young and upcoming leaders from various spheres allowing them to connect, inspire and innovate.

This year’s summit was co-hosted with the World Food Programme Southern Africa. The theme of the event was “Connect, Inspire, Impact: Solutions to Food Systems Challenges”.

“Applicants have to be between 18 and 35 years old and must have created social impact and sustainable development in their community, particularly at the nexus of food, waste and energy,” says Mamello.

Mamello is a senior laboratory technician in the NWU’s Consumer Sciences subject group and is pursuing a master’s degree in consumer sciences. Her studies focus on barriers and drivers of plant-based protein consumption in South Africa.

She says since the theme of the event was directly related to her master's study, she decided to apply.

“This achievement and recognition are an incredible experience for me,” says Mamello.

More about the Brightest Young Minds (BYM)

Brightest Young Minds was founded in the year 2000. It is a registered NPC in South Africa working to inspire and mobilise a generation of proactive young leaders equipped to address present and future social, economic and environmental challenges in Africa.