Environmental lawyer, Richard Ncube is 2023's Scholars' Scholar

LLD, University of Pretoria

INSPIRATIONAL Richard Ncube, who is now in The Gambia, connects African communities to legal instruments that can protect them from the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. He also trains activists in climate change, biodiversity loss and the laws that African communities can use to protect themselves. In his home country of Zimbabwe, he is building a number of cases to safeguard protected areas and empower communities against foreign industry and state-caused environmental damage. “It’s a huge honour to receive this prestigious award,” exclaimed Richard, who is keen to stuck in his role as ambassador for the network.

The Scholars’ Scholar Award is a unique Canon Collins Scholarship funded through the efforts of alumni making it possible for another to travel the same road. This award is the Canon Collins Trust’s most prestigious scholarship. The recipient, who is selected by alumni, is an exceptional person: someone who embodies, and can meaningfully contribute to, the Trust’s vision of an open and just society.