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Thato Kgatlhanye

Founder & CEO at Rethaka

Thato Kgatlhanye is a South African Social Entrepreneur known for her impactful work as the Chief Executive of Rethaka, a social enterprise that gained recognition from influential figures like Bill Gates and President Cyril Ramaphosa. She spearheaded the launch of the innovative 'Repurpose Schoolbag', a solar-powered backpack made from waste material, which serves as a light for studying in the evenings. Under her leadership, Rethaka produced and distributed 30,000 Repurpose Schoolbags to schools in low-income communities, building a sustainable manufacturing model that created 30 full-time jobs for women.

Thato's professional journey includes interning for renowned strategist Seth Godin in New York, where she contributed to the development of an e-learning platform called 'Krypton'. Recognized as a thought leader in social entrepreneurship's role in Africa's development, she has provided advisory services to organizations like the United Nations University-Institute for Advanced Study of Sustainability and the MasterCard Foundation. As a seasoned speaker, Thato has delivered talks in 15 countries, addressing audiences as large as 27,000 individuals.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Strategic Brand Management from VEGA and a JP Morgan Green Economy Business Certification from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). Thato's educational background includes studies at institutions like St Mary's DSG, Pretoria, and GIBS Business School.

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Location

Johannesburg Area, South Africa