Waves of positive change

COMPETITION: COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS CELEBRATED

- Citizen reporter

Iwisa No.1 has officially launched the 2025 edition of its flagship Community Champions Competition — an annual purpose-led initiative that celebrates SMMEs creating waves of positive change and impact in their communities.

Launched online this week, the Iwisa No.1 Community Champions Competition recognises township, rural and peri-urban businesses that are quietly solving South Africa's most pressing challenges — from food insecurity to youth unemployment, all the way through to education inequality and environmental sustainability.

The competition is their platform to be seen, supported and celebrated: honouring everyday South African heroes and heroines driving extraordinary change.

"The competition is inspired by the fundamental belief that each of us is able to do good and bring positive change. This is made even more powerful when we do it together," says Sibongile Mooko, premier executive for marketing and insights.

"There are thousands of South Africans working tirelessly to uplift and empower communities across the country. So many of their stories remain untold and their impact unacknowledged.