Pietermaritzburg-born entrepreneur wants to boost climate change action in Africa

A Pietermaritzburg-born climate change expert and entrepreneur Sarisha Ramanand wants to help Africa turn climate data into action over the next five to 10 years.

The 32-year-old founder of CS Consultants, a micro-enterprise focused on climate adaptation and capacity building in Africa, was the winner of The Mercury Women’s Month competition.

Ramanand completed her tertiary studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus.  Her qualifications include a PhD in Geography (Climate Change Adaptation), an MSc in Geography (Climate Change Mitigation), a BSc Honours in Environmental Management (cum laude), and a BSc in Geographical Sciences.

She said her fascination with the natural world began at a young age.

“I passionately read every book in sight on space exploration, climatology, astronomy, nature, science, and chemistry,” she said.

From childhood, she carried a desire to “be an agent of change” a drive that shaped her national, regional, and international career in climate work before she moved into entrepreneurship.

After a 24-month period of unemployment after a contract ended, she redirected her energy into pursuing a PhD while tendering for independent consulting work.

Securing several national and international bids prompted her to formalise her services into a registered business, CS Consultants.

“This spearheaded my business registration, formalising my place in the South African and international economy as a micro-business owner and entrepreneur,” she said.

Describing her business, she said: “We’re building partnerships that connect governments, communities, and donors to design projects that not only protect ecosystems but also uplift people.”

Her journey has not been without challenges. She noted the difficulties of navigating a male-dominated business environment, securing seed funding, and managing all aspects of a micro-enterprise alone.

She also highlighted the ‘soft’ challenge of shifting mindsets around sustainability. “Trying to create human behavioural change through the work being done… helping them see the value in living ‘greener’” remains central to her mission.

Despite this, she said her motivation is unwavering.

“I am well aware of my worth, my skills, my ability to change the world and also I am not afraid to fail,” she said.

Seeing children, communities, and professionals respond to her teachings continues to fuel her purpose.

Her work has earned support locally and abroad. She has spoken at schools, religious organisations, and public forums; given guest lectures to international students; offered work experience opportunities through her business; and served as a keynote speaker, including for the Africa One Health University Network in Kenya.

Looking ahead, she hopes CS Consultants will “help Africa turn climate data into action” over the next decade. Her focus is on measurable, inclusive, and fundable climate adaptation projects that build resilience while uplifting communities.

She encouraged young women to begin where they are. “You don’t need everything to be perfect; you just need to begin,” she said. “Build your business around purpose, not perfection.”

Women’s Month, she added, is a reminder of unity and shared resilience. “No woman succeeds alone; we rise by building ecosystems of trust, learning, and shared progress.”

She credited her mother and a school teacher who she still has contact with, and pioneering women such as Jane Goodall, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Valentina Tereshkova, and Mary W. Jackson as key inspirations.

The achievement she is most proud of is forging her own path when employment prospects vanished.

“Taking matters into my own hands… allowed me the opportunity to create and grow CS Consultants, slowly becoming a trusted voice in Africa,” she said.

Her ultimate goal is to ensure her story encourages others to dream boldly. “Nothing is impossible and everything is on the table,” she said. “My work and my story should be a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity.”

THE MERCURY