After a call for South Africa’s brightest and most talented social entrepreneurs, as part of their inaugural ‘Win The Right Way’ campaign, whisky brand Chivas Regal has chosen their top five – all who are providing various innovative solutions from green energy and small business funding, to fire-detection for informal settlements.
Mandla Holomisa, Brand Manager, Chivas Regal, says the global campaign is a part of the brand’s effort to contribute to socially-driven entrepreneurs.
“The idea of social entrepreneurship is using business as a force for good”, he says.
This year’s finalists are: Rethaka Trading, a company providing green solutions to social challenges including a solar powered backpack. Subz Punts and Pads who provide sustainable washable sanitary pads free to young girls who can’t afford them. Inspiracion, a consulting agency that helps fund small businesses and entrepreneurs. Carbon Disclosure South Africa, which focuses on profit-driven projects that offer substantial environmental and social benefits, and Lumkani Fire Detection, a fire detector and alert service using radio frequency transmission designed for informal dwellings.
The finalists will join twenty other social entrepreneurs from around the world in Silicon Valley, California for a mentorship programme. They will receive global exposure for their company or idea, as well as an opportunity to pitch for a portion of $1 million in funding.
The Chivas Regal judging panel will consist of the following business personalities – MD of Design Indaba, Ravi Naidoo; Innovator and breakthrough entrepreneur, Lebo Gunguluza Creative Director at Joe Public, Xolisa Dyeshana; CEO and President of Ditshego Media, Tebogo Ditshego and Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Wits Business School, Chimene Chetty.
