Ms Mabaeni Mkwani has been involved with EcoAfrica in a wide range of activities. She has a passion for continuous learning and making a positive impact in her community. In 2019, while still a high school learner, she participated in Siyaya – Come wild with us, an environmental education television series with South African National Parks (SANParks). In 2021 she created and entered her own film, The Return of Kgodumodumo, in which she used a monster in a Sesotho folktale as a metaphor for climate change. The film won the Grand Prize for youth films at the American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF), an international festival held annually in West Virginia, USA. When the opportunity arises, Mabaeni works on EcoAfrica projects ranging from heritage research to the Kwazulu-Natal Environment Outlook Report 2026. Beyond her studies as a dedicated medical student at the University of the Free State (UFS) she has a deep appreciation for nature, environmental conservation, and animal welfare. She is deeply committed to applying her knowledge, compassion and strong work ethic to contribute meaningfully to both healthcare and the wider community.