Sarah Collins, founder of the Wonderbag and now a recognised global change leader, has just been announced as the Fairlady’s 2016 Woman of the Future.
Sarah is a South African adventurer, entrepreneur, and lifelong social activist. She thrives on challenges and has worked tirelessly over the past two decades to inspire change in the realms of gender-equality and environmental sustainability.
“To be recognised at home means more to me than international accolades. I receive this award on behalf of the women of Africa and the entrepreneurs that make this continent work. It’s moments like these, when surrounded by other amazing South African women, that give me the motivation to keep pushing ahead to end world poverty.”
Recognition of Sarah’s work has gathered massive momentum with highlights including being the ‘face of African Entrepreneurs’ for DELL’s 2015 Entrepreneur’s Unite Campaign that went viral globally to make people aware of the UN Sustainability Goals. She has also previously been recognised as one of Fortunes Most Powerful Women and been acknowledged at the World Economic Forum.
But, says Sarah, ‘Restoring the dignity of women, giving them the ability to feed their families and earn more money is my biggest success. It’s through entrepreneurship that we will take women out of poverty.’
Wonderbag is global, social impact solution and since the bag has launched in 2008, over 1 million bags have been distributed throughout Africa. Sarah has also taken the Wonderbag to the Middle East where it has been a gracious welcome in vast Syrian refugee camps.
At the end of August, Sarah will be launching the Coalition of Action, a Wonderbag Initiative, that unites powerful business leaders across the globe to meaningfully address the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Judges of the event included some of South Africa’s most admired and influential women – Yegs Ramiah, Suzy Brokensha, Thuli Madonsela, Joanne Strauss, and Leanne Manas.