Brand ambassador grateful for recognition

The accolades keep rolling in for Sallies Village resident Lerato Maris.

The United Nations brand ambassador, political activist and influencer, will be the recipient of the award for Most Influential International Peace and Security Organisation 2024 in the African Excellence Awards by MEA Markets.

Lerato is grateful for the recognition.

“The United Nations has been a great platform of growth and change I want to see in the world, and I am honoured that all my hard work and efforts are noticed and appreciated because I have a passion for effective change, being a positive young leader and a role model for those who will be following my footsteps,” she said.

As reported by the Brakpan Herald in February, Lerato was nominated in the DearSA Young Leader Awards 2024.

Her nomination is in the Civil Society category as she is celebrated as a young South African who is making a significant contribution to society.

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The winners will be announced on June 16.

“I hope the youth and my amazing town of Brakpan get to see that it is possible to be an agent of positive change globally,” she said.

“You just need to keep working towards your dreams and goals. With some dedication and focus, your fruits of labour will be appreciated which will create a new generation of leaders and a courageous future.”

In November last year, Lerato walked away as a winner at the The Future is Female & Men Champions Awards 2023.

The awards, presented by Leading Women of Africa, create awareness and showcase the role of male and female leaders as change agents on the continent.

She was nominated in the 2023 Most Influential Youth Award category and placed first in the subcategory, The Most Gender-Focused Youth for 2023.

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