Thato Kgatlhanye is one of three Sub-Saharan Finalists of the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards will be joining 17 other inspirational women entrepreneurs selected from over 1700 applications from more than 100 countries in Paris this month to hear the announcement of this year’s Laureates. The Laureates will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2015 in France. In this video she speaks about her experience as an entrepreneur.
Thato Kgatlhanye is a young South African entrepreneur with a very bright future, and the inspiration behind a company producing innovative and eco-school bags from recycled plastic shopping bags. She launched her company when she was just 18. As she was about to start her undergraduate degree, she came up with an idea to help underprivileged pupils who face challenges with their education. Rethaka – literally meaning “we are fellows” – encourages children to attend school and learn effectively. These solar powered schoolbags charge up during the day and transform into a light at night. Disadvantaged children encounter barriers to learn due to a lack of basic school supplies such as schoolbags. Numerous children in South Africa walk to school for sometimes more than 30 minutes carrying their books. School children leave home early in the morning and walk on roads that are not designed for pedestrian usage – a journey which can often prove risky. Road safety has become a significant issue in the country as children are exposed to the danger of being hit by cars due to limited visibility. Rethaka has developed a way of providing a solution to increase children’s safety and help them do better in school. The company manufactures repurposed schoolbags fitted with retro-reflective material to increase visibility. These solar-powered bags are also constructed to continue working after dark. Each bag is fitted with a solar panel that charges as the child is walking to school. When they get back home, they can use it as a light to study. To create this product, Thato has set up a sustainable manufacturing process. Each schoolbag is made of 20 plastic shopping bags that are up-cycled into a textile. All offcuts are used to design a signature pattern on the bags. The company is looking to produce 10,000 bags by the end of 2015 with a current staff of 15, but hopes to at least grow to 20 by the end of the year. To find out more about Rethaka, visit the website www.repurposeschoolbags.com