Social entrepreneur Thato Kgatlhanye’s Repurpose Schoolbags initiative, supported by Unilever, has positively impacted her community and represents the posibility of a brighter future for both South Africa and the world.
Imagine a world where every child lives to their fifth birthday and enjoys their right to a happy childhood. Where every home has enough water to drink, wash, cook and clean; where everybody can enjoy life today while protecting the planet for future generations. This is Unilever’s vision for the future.
Unilever brightFuture is a platform that helps unite and amplify the efforts of a growing community of people who believe it is possible to build a world where everyone lives well and sustainably.
This long-term campaign was launched in South Africa in June under the #brightFutureSA hashtag. It focuses on various social issues that address sustainability, climate change, education, job creation and other upliftment strategies. This movement, with the potential for national and global change, supports Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan.
Who better to drive the initiative than our leaders of tomorrow? As a part of the brightFuture initiative Unilever have identified a group of young people eager to change the world, called New Leaders. These New Leaders represent the possibilities that exist for South Africa and the world to live sustainably
The New Leaders identify as part of the brightFuture campaign encourage people from around the world to find creative solutions to the problems they encounter on a daily basis, while staying inspired by those who are already taking action.
One such leader is social entrepreneur Thato Kgatlhanye and her repurposed schoolbags initiative that has had a positive impacted on her community. As a New Leader she represents the possibility of a bright future for South Africa and the world. Each one of Thato’s repurpose schoolbags are made from 20 up-cycled plastic bags and includes a solar panel that charges while school kids walk to school; it then later transforms into a study light.
“The idea for repurpose schoolbags came after looking at some of the societal problems facing learners such as a lack of dignity, basic school materials and no source of light to study at night,” she says.
Thato is just one of the many New Leaders that Unilever is celebrating for their achievements in making a difference. These young change makers all around the world are tackling issues of preserving the environment, health and hygiene as well as enhancing livelihood.
The brightFuture campaign recognises that a difference can only be made once we all work together to do small actions every day that make a real change. It’s about challenging ordinary people to take small actions in order to make a collective change.
To be inspired by New Leaders and to take your action in making a change visit brightfuture.unilever.co.za
If you know a young leader like Thato, we want to hear their story! Share their inspiring journey with us on social media, by using the hashtag #brightFutureSA. No matter how big or small the initiative, everyone can make a difference.
