5 days ago
Youth leader inspires change through global platforms
Lerato Maris, a Brakpan youth leader and proud UN Brand Ambassador, continues her upward rise with a nomination for the SA Forty Under 40 Awards and a host of global recognitions.
The South African Forty Under 40 Awards are curated to identify, honour and celebrate the nation's most influential and accomplished business leaders under the age of 40 from a wide range of industries who are committed to business growth, professional excellence, community service and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries.
Lerato, a Sallies Village resident, takes the pride of the United Nations as she has embedded her stance that no good work goes unnoticed, placing her in the category of philanthropy and charity.
'Brakpan is the chronicle of who I am, it has been my biggest supporter through my journey and I am so grateful and honoured to be part of such an amazing community,' she said.
'To the youth, always remember it takes courage, determination, belief and dedication in turning your dreams into a reality.
'Work with good intentions and always pay it forward, because that is the key for transformative change we want to see in our communities.'
Lerato was also a guest of honour at a Women's Day event in Brakpan on August 8 organised by Brakpan SAPS, where she gave a motivational speech commemorating the day.
She spoke about why women should lead by example, and also highlighted the outstanding work of local police.
'It was a blessing and honour to be part of this amazing ceremony. I am so proud of my heroines in blue for keeping Brakpan safe and also acknowledging their acts of service to our country. Their efforts do not go unnoticed,' she said.
'We have powerful women who are rising and flourishing in service and leadership roles and it was an honour and a humbling experience to be one with such amazing women,' she said.
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Lerato is also set to embark for the Youth Leadership Certification programme in Sydney, Australia, to be held from November 24 to 28.
She also recently won second place in the FREESA Young Leaders Awards in the Politics and Government Category, and extended her international relations through the Journalist and Writers Foundation in New York, as a 2025 cohort in the Media and Journalism webinars in inspiring journalists as advocates of press freedom.
Residents can vote for Lerato in the Forty Under 40 Awards by clicking here.
Further honours recently received by Lerato include being an international delegate and award recipient at the Global Youth Leadership Summit and Award 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal from June 20 to 24.
She also bagged a nomination and was shortlisted in the WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards 2025 in the Public Sector category.
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