Sané Ndlovu

No stains were left on any of the 1500 plates washed with only a few teaspoons of Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid during the recent kickoff event of the Sunlight Washes More Dishes campaign. The dishes were washed after Isidingo Primary School learners and teachers in Umlazi enjoyed a hearty meal provided by Sunlight. The aim of the campaign is not only to feed and bring joy to South Africans but also to show how just one bottle of Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid washes more dishes compared to its leading competitor*. Last year Statistics South Africa reported results from their 2021 study which revealed that due to unemployment, households experienced food inadequacy and hunger. The same report revealed that many households in low-income communities with children aged five years or younger did not have adequate nutritious food which meant that children were at risk of not developing as they should. Isidingo Primary School is an example of the country’s unemployment challenges. “Most of our pupils’ parents don’t have jobs. Initially the school fees were R200.00 but even then, parents couldn’t even pay. When we partner with big brands, we hope that surely something good is bound to happen. This month is youth month. For us to have a prosperous nation, we must invest in our youth. Thank you, Sunlight, for making a difference today,” says Mr. Nkosi Mhlongo, the school’s principal. The school is part of a feeding scheme which means that meals are provided by the school daily since some of the learners do not always have food at home. While the visit to Isidingo Primary School may not solve food security issues, it did make a difference on the day and afforded the kitchen team a day to rest. East Coast Radio host, J Sbu was the MC for the event. At the end of the event, J Sbu was seen “passing” the partially used Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid bottle to Nonkanyiso Langa, a young aspiring chef” who will be hosting the next event. This one bottle of Sunlight dishwashing …

South African feminist and writer Chanté Moos wrote an article about issues facing South African women. Among the problems she listed was how South African women are most likely to be unemployed or underpaid even though they contribute to almost 50% of the GDP. According to Moos, South African women are breadwinners who are without opportunities that will lead them to thrive. AMAZI founders Divya Vasant and Lisa Mgcotyelwa created a social impact brand for women intending to create a world and environment where women can thrive economically. AMAZI gives women the opportunity to participate in the South African economy, to be seen, heard, and present. This is all through the AMAZI academy. Says Co-Founder and COO at AMAZI, Lisa Mgcotelwa, “The AMAZI Academy creates opportunities to include marginalized women of colour in South Africa economically. Our mission is to address the lack of access to marketable skills and earning opportunities that keep women economically excluded. We do this by creating a holistic skills development program that is possible because our loyal customers create impact by choosing AMAZI to meet their self-care needs. The academy creates access to skills development and earning opportunities for women who simply need a hand up. Not only does it offer vocational training, but it also includes personal development through soft skill programs. These mentorship and coaching programs help women transform their lives into economically active women in the economy”. Many of the women are now a part of the AMAZI Tribe, working and thriving to support their families, but were once in challenging situations they didn’t know how to navigate. *Ella Hlongwane is one of the many success stories of the academy. She was on the edge of giving up. Life hadn’t been easy for her. At one point she was unemployed with children to feed and no support. She felt alone. While commuting one day, she heard another woman speaking about AMAZI and an upcoming …