@ChangeAgentSA, climate activist and agent of change; who showcases a life that is shaped and moulded by a relentless passion for people and planet. GLAMOUR Women of the Year 2023, HUMANITARIAN Game Changer Award goes to Catherine Constantinides.
South African thought leader, Humanitarian and Climate Activist, who is focused on food, energy, water security, and waste management, a social entrepreneur, social justice activist and human rights defender.
The event was hosted on Saturday evening, at Langham’s Lifestyle Estate; boasting GLAMOUR and women of absolute substance. The Glamour Awards honoured and celebrated the women that have been selected as game-changing in their field. Hosted, annually by Glamour magazine. The Women of the Year awards honour “extraordinary and inspirational” women from a variety of fields, including entertainment, business, sports, music, science, medicine, education and politics.
This dynamic woman has travelled the world and worked hands on in some of the world’s most forgotten communities. Her consistent commitment for sustainable development and climate action is evident in the endless work that her organisation and programmes have achieved over the past two decades. Catherine has spoken at global platforms and has served at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva and at the UN Security Council in New York; she was the Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony at the World Youth Forum in Egypt where she addressed an audience 5000 strong, which was broadcast to more than 10Million people.
Constantinides, has been listed as one of Africa’s Top 100 Young People, has been given accolades by government, institutions and global entities. She is a Mail and Guardian Top “100 South Africans to have lunch with”, listed in SA’s second season of 21 Icons, an Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow and Mandela Washington Fellow. Catherine was also named as one of the 100 Mandela’s of The Future, the acknowledgment of her climate and humanitarian work is endless.
She works actively as a human rights defender who has worked in conflict zones around the world from Afghanistan, to Syria and Lebanon, Kashmir, Cyprus and the Western Sahara, Africa’s Last Colony.
On receiving the award Constantinides humbly stated, “This is not for me… it is for the heroes that believe and support my work, they walk this journey alongside me. It is for the humanitarians on the frontlines who don’t have a platform from which to speak. It is for the doctors and aid workers on the ground that see the worst of humanity, but still continue their work. It is by the grace of God that I stand before you, grateful and thankful, for the recognition of my work. I pay tribute to my young son, who shares his mother with people in need and enables me to do the work I do.”
You can find Catherine on all social media platforms @ChangeAgentSA
