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Innovations We Love

LOCUSTS VS DRONES

Purpose Pioneers are individuals, initiatives and business who are brave enough to take a risk for the greater good of humanity. They prioritise purpose over profit and in the process, pave the way and inspire others to follow. Here are a few innovations that do just that.. we hope you feel inspired to create change.

LEVI’S

Did you know there such a day as World Water Day? It is meant to shed light on water-related issues and encourage people to take action to make a difference – the end goal being “water for all” by 2030.

The Levi’s brand takes water usage seriously and is doing its part to fight the water crisis, not just today, but every day. Here are a few ways they save water:

Saving water in finishing techniques

Levi’s designers are constantly thinking of new ways to create the same denim we all trust and love while cutting back on water, such as reusing water during production and creating new finishes that require less water than traditional processes. To date, the brand uses more than 20 water-saving finish techniques, and they share their methods with others to inspire industry-wide progress.

Going Water<Less™

Their Water<Less™ process can reduce up to 96 percent of the water normally used in denim finishing, the final stage in making of a pair of jeans! So far, they have saved more than 3 billion litres and recycled more than 1.5 billion litres of water through their Water<Less™ innovations.

As of today, more than 67 percent of all Levi’s products are made with Water<Less™ techniques. By the end of this year, their goal is to hit 80 percent!

If Levi’s is getting it right and because every drop counts, how can YOU save more water?

Read more here!

ZINDI

Ever thought that data science could change the world?

Meet Zindi, a Social Enterprise that harnesses data science for good. As the first data science competition platform in Africa, Zindi hosts an entire ecosystem of scientists, engineers, academics, companies, NGOs, governments and institutions focused on solving Africa’s most pressing problems.

How does it work?

Zindi works with companies, non-profit organisations, and government institutions to develop data-driven solutions and help them to really push creative boundaries in the process.

For data scientists, from newbies to rock stars, Zindi is a place to access African datasets and solve African problems. Data scientists will find all the tools they need on Zindi to compete, share ideas, hone their skills, build their professional profiles, find career opportunities, and have fun!

Bravo Zindi, bravo!

Photo by Zindi.

LOCUSTS VS DRONES

Have you heard?

The United Nations will test drones to spray pesticides in parts of East Africa. Equipped with mapping sensors and atomisers, the drones will help battle an invasion of desert locusts that are ravaging crops and exacerbating the hunger crisis.

Hundreds of millions of the voracious insects have swept across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya in what the UN has called ‘the worst outbreak in a quarter of a century’, with Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti also affected.

Authorities in those countries are already spraying pesticides from the air, but experts say the scale of the infestation is beyond local capacity as desert locusts can travel up to 150 kilometres a day. They threaten to increase food shortages in a region where up to 25 million people are reeling from three consecutive years of droughts and floods.

But can drones fix this?

Climate scientists say that global warming may be behind the current infestations, which have also hit parts of Iran, India and Pakistan. Warmer seas have resulted in a rise in the frequency of cyclones in the Indian Ocean. This caused heavy downpours along the Arabian Peninsula, creating ideal conditions for locust breeding in the deserts of Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Existing drone models are restricted in terms of the volumes they can carry and the distances they can cover due to their size and limited battery life, say entomologists and plant protection researchers. Another challenge for drone use in such emergencies is the lack of regulation. This makes it harder to deploy larger drones, which have petrol-powered engines capable of carrying tanks of up to 1,500 litres and travelling distances of up to 500 km, and often require special approval.

Researchers are increasingly looking to technology to help provide early warning signs and control locust outbreaks amid fears climate change could bring more cyclones. Read more about it here!

What other innovations have you spotted by Purpose Pioneers? We’d love to hear from you.

Original Article

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Luxury Face masks in South Africa

Luxury Face masks in South Africa

Being in lockdown in South Africa due to the COVID19 pandemic, we have seen a massive incline of face mask production. Everyone with a sewing machine has been making a face mask and we have seen even more DIY masks being sported on people’s faces. There are some fashion brands that have also begun to make face masks. The purpose is to create face masks that saves lives but to make it fashion at the same time. We have listed a few brands that you might like.

  1. RichFactory

RichFactory is a Johannesburg based fashion house that is producing face masks in African Print in different sizes, as well as masks for Children.

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My mum (the girls Ouma) was in JHB locked down with us and she was really concerned about the girls safety and freedom while playing so she spent some time online and in YouTube looking for innovative ways for to keep the girls safe while giving then a little freedom especially for our morning walks. So after many samples and different shields options (trust me we’ve gone through like 5 different types to find a shield that works) we’ve produced these shields and bucket hats with removable plastic shields for kids. Both shields & bucket hats are available online and today we ship off about 100 units to Botswana (I’ll share the distributors details in Bots once they are ready) . We’ve got plain colours for school as well like Navy, black, red, maroon and khaki and you can place orders for mass production too. For mass orders only please contact masks@richfactory.co.za and for personal shopping you can do so online. Love and light. Rina, Ouma and the girls… who by the way, are wondering if they are famous after all the pics I took of them. “Am I a famous model now aunty!”

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  1. Tshepo Jeans

Tshepo Jeans is a luxury denim brand that has started to create stylish Face masks that are fresh, clean and definitely denim with denim stud accents.

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Mandatory ? #tshepo #denim #covid

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  1. Inga Atelier

Inga Atelier mask made from super leather, easy to breathe and reusable. Their high-end leather bags are more expensive than their mask so thankfully you won’t have to pay too much to walk around in style with their face masks.

Inga Atelier mask made from super leather, easy to breathe and reusable, to order email sales@ingaatelier.com or visit Hydepark corner. R199 including delivery pic.twitter.com/Vkqfl2XehT

— INGA GUBEKA (@ingagubeka) May 10, 2020

  1. Loin Cloth & Ashes

Loin Cloth & Ashes is an African based fashion and lifestyle brand for individuals who seek a modern, functional and relevant design with a neo-African point of view. Their mask’s have boomed as their pattern is unusual and there aren’t many masks that look like this.

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Red

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  1. Akese Stylelines

Now this designed is not South African but we wanted to throw her into this list as we love her take on fashion. We have not seen facemasks like this anywhere.

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?We are loving seeing Queens all over IG recreating our #akesepowermask look in their own way! Yassssssssss… ??? #powertothequeens . Our design is trending and I must confess I'm super excited to see our Queens owning their crowns. I can't wait to see how you style your pieces. . Now you can have it all in one! 2 vibrant prints in 1 mask. You can do whatever you like. Enjoy our New REVERSIBLE #fatiamaskset. Washable. Reusable. Reliable. REVERSIBLE! . . #akesestylelines #trends #trending #handmade #oneofakind #womenswear #bosschic #africanprintclothing #africanprintpants #chicagofashion #chicagodesigner #statementpieces #oneofakindpieces #womenswear

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Original Article

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From Security Guards to lockdown Knights in shining armour

cision tacticle

With the lockdown brought on by the COVID19 Pandemic, food security has become a massive issue. We have found South Africa almost become a Mutual Aid country, where many people are giving and lending a helping hand to those in need. Vision Tactical, a private security company partnered with a local NGO, The Muslim Association of South Africa (MASA), to deliver and hand-out essential goods to those in need.

The Muslim Association of South Africa (MASA) is an independent Muslim humanitarian non-profit organisation with its firm focus on religious values, educational elevation, social welfare and a charitable culture. Their purpose is the achievement of large-scale societal change through community alliances. Sharing of resources to create a utilitarian society in which all members of community can benefit. We at Purpose Pioneers applaud this initiative as this is a religious NGO that is not just helping their own but helping those in need regardless of their race or religion.

When everyone is committed to the overall goal, teams move faster, are more innovative and more successful.
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Successful teamwork is essential during a time like this, #Covid19Lockdown on the ground together #ProtectingCommunities ?? with @SAPoliceService @SANDFCorpEvents pic.twitter.com/BCId6iL2DL

— Vision Tactical (@visiontactical) April 18, 2020

Director of Vision Tactical, Yaseen Theba says that it’s positive to see how many NGO’s and volunteers have come forward and rose to the challenge of assisting the needy during a very challenging time.

“The members from the Muslim Association of South Africa found out about the dire need for essential food items required at the Bakazela Settlement, they then immediately purchased the items, and came out to distribute.”

Theba says that every helping hand counts at this point in time.

“During this challenging period, being proactive and positive is the only way to move forward stronger and together.”

Our teams just delivered at the West Rand APD (Association for the Physically Disabled) in Krugersdorp. #UbuntuInAction #ReliefReformReward #COVID19 #CommunityRelief #LockdownSA @David_Makhura @Lesufi pic.twitter.com/oey3DnizlQ

— Muslim Association of South Africa (@MuslimAssocSA) May 12, 2020

Those wanting to contribute, visit The Muslim Association of South Africa

Original Article

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4 Tips on showcasing your Brand’s purpose on Social Media

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In these unusual times, more people are staying home which means, more digital content is being produced and consumed. In this chaos that has become Social Media, we find new trends each day popping up on our feeds. As a Brand, we want to keep afloat this sea of digital gibberish. Many brands love to jump onto trends in order to gain some positive awareness, engagement and to build their brand. What happens when jumping on the trend is not the right thing to do? How do you make sure that you don’t loose the purpose of your brand?

Brands need to have purpose in everything they do, not just online. That’s why when a brand gets big enough, they need to opt for a Digital Marketing specialist to take care of their Social Media needs. A Digital Marketer will be able to portray a brand with clear purpose messaging. Sometimes, however, not all brands can afford the help of an agency. Here are 4 checkpoints to help navigate Social Media with purpose and to showcase your purpose:

  1. Be clear and simple

When writing you Social Media profile Bios, make sure that you are clear and simple about what it is your company does and what you stand for. Don’t just let your content speak for you, as your Bio might be the only thing someone will see. Be precise in your messaging so anyone knows exactly who you are.

  1. Create content that’s true to your brand.

Besides your bio, your content needs to always be ‘on brand’. That famous saying means that your caption, your content, your imaging and your graphics all need to scream what your company is about and what you stand for. Try not to stray away from this but always make sure you ask yourself, ‘does this represent my company correctly?’

Why the future of social is meaningful connections? In 2020, consumers will seek an antidote to vast and toxic online communities and social media platforms. They’ll embrace smaller and more intimate digital spaces that facilitate respectful and meaningful connections, let them interact with like-minded peers and allow them to truly be themselves says TrendWatching.

This means that online consumers are going to move towards meaningful content and profiles as this year progresses. Make sure that your meaningful content is what they gravitate to.

  1. Jump onto Trends

Jumping on trends can be a fun way that Brands can get more engagement but not all trends are for Brands. Jumping onto the next ‘hot’ thing on Social Media might land you in hot water with the Twitter trolls. Make sure that the trend aligns with your business.

  1. The power of Social Media

You will be surprised that once you communicate what you are about and what you are trying to achieve on social media, people will respond positively. Once your purpose is clear, your online audience will want to know how they can become a part of that purpose. 75% of US consumers noted that if a brand asked them for feedback on future products or ideas it would increase their likelihood to purchase from that brand, MakerSights, January 2019.

Sure, we do not have to take a selfie every time we do a bit of charity but having a strong social media presence is essential and can be achieved without exploiting the vulnerability of the people you are helping.

“Brand storytelling is the future of marketing’” says Forbes

In today’s digitally-driven society, a humanised approach has become more and more sought after by consumers. People relate to people not brands and that’s why brands need to become even more human than ever before. That is why we at The Change Collective Africa love to share the stories of Humans with our Legacy Stories. If you need help to craft stories for brands, individuals, initiatives or organisations then The Change Collective Africa can assist.

Have purpose in how you want your Brand to be perceived, consumed and respected. With no strategy behind how you conduct yourself or your Business on Social Media, you could find yourself swimming upstream against a very strong current. Invest in a digital marketing specialist who knows what they are doing and no, we are not referring to your niece who has a few 1000 followers on TikTok.

Original Article