For her extraordinary work promoting fair trade and providing job opportunities to those in need, Bongiwe Mlangeni of South Africa was named a 2011 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) recipient in the category of business, economic and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment. Bongiwe Mlangeni is a social entrepreneur. Her innovative ideas and commitment to sustainable business practices have helped hundreds of artisans and crafters find employment, boosting their quality of life. She is a production coordinator at Africa! Ignite, a local nonprofit working with more than 600 crafters using fair trade practices to produce items for community campaigns and projects. Her latest endeavor is the Shake the World campaign. Mlangeni looks to sell one million fair trade beaded bracelets produced by local South African crafters to raise awareness of the UN Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs). This campaign provides income for these impoverished crafters while the bracelets emphasize the importance of advancing the UN MDGs to create a better world. As a mentor and recruiter for the local craft groups, Mlangeni has changed the lives of many people, providing them with work to support themselves and their families. These artisans not only support the development of local economies, but they also share their culture with others across the world through their products. Mlangeni’s bracelet campaign and dedication to helping those in need makes her a strong creator of positive change. JCI TOYP JCI (Junior Chamber International) honors ten outstanding young people under the age of 40 each year. These individuals exemplify the spirit of the JCI Mission and provide extraordinary service to their communities. Whether through service, innovation, determination or revolutionary thinking, these young active citizens create positive impacts in their communities. These ten young active citizens will be honored at the 2011 JCI TOYP Ceremony and reception Wednesday, November 2 at the JCI World Congress in Brussels, Belgium. About JCI: JCI is a worldwide membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Through projects in more than 5,000 communities across more than 100 countries, members seek targeted solutions to local problems, creating a global impact. Visit www.jci.cc to learn more. Contact: Krissy Durant, Programs Manager, JCI (Junior Chamber International) programs@jci.cc
Go back