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Michelle Korevaar, Founding Director of ChangeMakersHub, a pioneering women-led non-profit organisation, has been awarded the prestigious ‘South Africa’s Woman Leaders’ title at this year’s South African Leadership Awards. The ceremony, held in Johannesburg mid-April, recognises and celebrates outstanding women leaders across South Africa who exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields.
ChangeMakersHub is a Public Benefits Organisation and Non-Profit company that facilitates action from individuals and stakeholders who want to empower and be in service to their community. Its focus is on delivering a real and measurable impact towards sustainable developmental goals.
Under Korevaar’s leadership, it has implemented several impactful programmes, notably the EcoChangeMakers community development programme. This initiative is pioneering new approaches to achieving a ‘Plastic-Free Impact 2030’ through a circular economy that repurposes plastic waste, empowers vulnerable communities and promotes sustainable development.
It tackles our severe waste management crisis that sees plastic literally devastating our planet and the dignity, health and human rights of our citizens – globally and in South Africa. At its core is the repurpose of this plastic waste into building blocks that, in turn, help to build much needed public service items including artisanal and craft products. Korevaar and her team take it one step further with dedicated resources on the ground who educate, upskill and inspire entire communities to become part of the EcoChangeMakers initiative through experiential learning.
Over the last two years, over 400 tons of plastic have been repurposed in this manner. Next steps include a ‘train-the-trainer’ programme that will not only extend this initiative still further but, as importantly, provide participants with the skills and tools needed to become successful micro entrepreneurs within the waste industry. ChangeMakersHub’s online tech-enabled platform also provides fellow charities with the opportunity to profile and showcase their efforts, in turn creating a collaborative network.
Says Korevaar, “Apart from saving our precious earth and resources from the devastation of senseless waste, as critical is the empowerment of communities through the creation of an initiative driven by the community for the community and one that is easily scalable.”
Dr. R L Bhatia, founder of World CSR Day, World Sustainability, and World Women Leadership Congress, chaired the awards programme. He expressed his admiration for unwavering commitment to economic and societal transformation by the awardees. It is essential that leadership qualities to not only influence policy but also practically implement strategies that yield real and measurable impacts. Michelle’s efforts in empowering climate action and her inclusive approach to community development set a benchmark for leadership.
For more information about Michelle Korevaar and ChangeMakersHub, please visit https://www.changemakershub.org/