Stellenbosch-born philanthropist Abongile Khwaza has been nominated for the Forty under 40 South Africa Awards in the category Community Development.
The Forty under 40 Award is curated to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the nation’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of 40 from a wide range of industries. Aimed at celebrating entrepreneurs and business leaders committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service, and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries at a relatively young age.
“I feel very proud of myself, and I feel incredibly grateful and honoured to have been nominated for the Africa Forty Under 40 Awards,” Khwaza said.
The 32-year-old social worker, with private- and public-sector experience, said she is passionate about the development of the youth globally.
She is a project director and founder of the Help A Girl Campaign, which was established in 2017 with a view to educating, empowering and inspiring school-going learners by hosting career exhibitions, spelling-bee competitions and advocating menstrual health and hygiene management.
“The Help A Girl Campaign ensures girls who are at school and going through adolescence and puberty do not miss school due to lack of sanitary or feminine hygiene products,” Khwaza explained. “It has five branches in South Africa and beyond – Cape Town, Rustenburg, Johannesburg, Kenya and in Nigeria.
“When growing up I experienced emotional abuse at home and was bullied at school. Those personal experiences pushed me to having a deep, strong desire to be a social worker and advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves. She established a mentorship programme with the aim of equipping young women and boys with the necessary knowledge and tools to help them navigate puberty and address those issues that lead to bullying and GBV.”
Khwaza is a winner of the Humanitarian Global Award 2022 and was a nominee in the Womandla – Woman in Steam Awards 2022 for Advocacy. She’s nominated in the Fabulous Woman Awards 2023. To vote for Abongile Khwaza SMS “KHWAZA” to 36445.
