Lizette Swanevelder abides by a philosophy that if she can ‘lead the way in showing people how to protect the environment, then collectively and through our own individual actions, we can make a greater impact to humankind and the earth.’ As CEO of Global GreenTag Africa, Lizette has been an exemplary leader in educating construction and design professionals and supporting manufacturers looking to expand their businesses.
Highly committed to social upliftment through greening and sustainable development, Lizette has also been actively involved with non-profit organisations that support these interventions, such as Green Communities, which promotes sustainable urban green living environments for low-income housing settlements.
When not working with Global GreenTag, Lizette follows her sense of compassion and empathy for others. She has a long-standing history of supporting and serving her local communities and most notably as a volunteer basic ambulance assistant for the Hout Bay National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Cape Town. Lizette also rescues swimmers in distress for various helicopter services.
Aha! Moment: What sparked your sustainability journey?
My sustainablity journey started at a very young age and is constantly evolving. Learning about the Blue Economy had a big impact on my journey.
FAMILY CHALLENGE: Read our Blue Economy article and try our Blue Economy Quiz
Green Star: Who inspires your eco-journey?Food Wisdom: What healthy eating habits do you swear by?
Dr Sylvia Earl. Love her quote, “No one person can do everything, but every person can do something. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Eco-friendly Habits: What practices help you reduce, reuse, and recycle?
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Also, eating fresh fruit and vegetables in season.
Teaching Eco-empathy: How can we encourage kids to care for the environment?
I believe the best way to encourage and inspire kids is to lead by example.
Sustainable Sanctuary: How do you make your home eco-friendly?
I love up-cycling; repairing and restoring everything in my home instead of buying anything new.
Growing Green: What’s your go-to sustainable gardening technique?
I plant the seeds from almost everything I eat and compost the rest. I also do a lot of propogating.
Responsible Travel: How do you minimize your travel footprint?
I try not to travel, but sometimes enjoy local holidays. For business, I mostly online attend online meetings and events.
Style Sustainability: How do you make your wardrobe more eco-friendly?
I believe the most sustainable outfit is the one already in your closet. I am fortunate to have three sisters and we are always swapping clothes. I also enjoy sewing and prefer fixing my clothes (some are now vinatage and back in fashion).
Joyful Living: What activities bring you happiness and fulfillment?
Swimming in the ocean and spending time in my garden.
