May 13, 2025
Junior Remote Sensing Scientists Nasiphi Ngcoliso and Sinesipho Ngamile from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) – and founding members of SA GEO Youth – represented South Africa’s dynamic youth movement in Earth Observation (EO) at the “Keeping Our Promises to the Young People” session during the GEO Global Forum 2025 in Rome, Italy.
Their participation underscored SANSA’s commitment to amplifying youth voices in the global EO agenda. Nasiphi highlighted the critical need for capacity development, inclusion, and youth-driven innovation, aligning with SA GEO Youth’s mission to equip young professionals with geospatial skills to tackle challenges like climate change, urban development, and socio-economic disparities.
For Nasiphi, the session reinforced the global push for youth empowerment, fueling her dedication to ensuring young perspectives shape sustainable EO solutions. Meanwhile, Sinesipho emphasized the transformative power of mentorship and collaborative platforms, advocating for greater access to EO tools and knowledge-sharing networks to bridge gaps in under-resourced communities.
Both scientists exemplify SANSA’s vision of fostering a new generation of geospatial leaders, driving innovation while addressing Africa’s unique challenges through Earth Observation.
