Sue Barnes shares her journey that started with a desire to empower South Africa’s young women and has taken her to meet Obama
Story Megan Rich
“It’s incredible how many people are doing good things. Entrepreneurs have seen a need to help and then created a business around it,” explains Sue Barnes, a local entrepreneur who saw an urgent need to come up with a clever and cost-effective menstrual sanitation product to help young girls who were missing out on school because they didn’t have access to sanitary wear.
The result was Subz Pants and Pads, a reusable, washable, eco-friendly sanitary pad, and its non-profit extension called Project Dignity, which earned Sue a place at the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held at Stanford University in California. The three-day sponsored conference afforded Sue the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from some of the world’s best business minds and connect with fellow entrepreneurs and philanthropists from around the globe.
The Hillcrest resident and mother of two was one of a few South Africans who attended the international gathering and she returned both inspired and encouraged. “The conference was unbelievable and I just learnt so much. It was a chance to learn about how to grow my business and myself. It also taught me to work together with people and use people as resources. I left with loads of leads from around Africa.”
As many girls in rural areas throughout Africa don’t have underwear or pads, networking with entrepreneurs from other African countries was a massive bonus for Sue. Although she’s been able to distribute around 52 000 Subz packs countrywide and across the continent so far, more African connections means more Subz could be distributed.
Another highlight for Sue was listening and learning from global leaders like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and President Obama.
“President Obama is amazing and his energy and love for people is on another level. He spoke about how it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you have a dream, you should go for it. He also shared on how people from any walk of life can achieve and, if you fail, just get another job. That was amazing because so many people at the conference had failed but tried again.”
This advice has helped her with her business and social upliftment programme that has kept her busy for the past six years. Sue initially worked on Subz on the side with her employer, Mr Price, graciously allowing her to go out and visit schools. Eventually, Sue followed her heart and Subz took over full time.
“Over the years, with my business, I’ve learned that you can’t rush things and sometimes things happen slowly for a reason.”
Because the project is from her heart, many people, including GES, have taken notice. Some of Sue’s other awards over the years include Clarins Most Dynamic Woman Award, SAB Social Innovation Award, Greenovation Award and a Margaret Hirsch Award. Hirsch is also one of Subz’ sponsors.
“I think one of the biggest things that has led to the project’s success is that it’s uplifting and assists girls positively in multiple ways, from education to health to the sustainability and environmental side.”
Project Dignity is currently doing three big activations with City Hill Church in the Embo community. “We hand out Subz pads to young girls and teach them how to use it.
“We also talk to the girls about puberty, menstruation, hygiene, reproductive organs, teenage pregnancy and how to uplift and empower themselves and stay in school. Really, anything about how they can empower their lives. Often these girls don’t have educational talks at schools or don’t have anyone to talk with about it at home.”
Sue and her team ensure they also teach the girls about the planet and how they have a role to play in caring for it.
“Rural areas don’t have refuse removal, so our product helps the environment by not adding to the disposal of pads. Subz pads also have no chemicals, gels or toxins and we teach the girls how to care for them to ensure they are reusable. We leave them with the message that it’s more than just about receiving the product – it’s about how using a Subz is one way that they can help the planet.”
Balancing family life and business can be a tough act, but with Sue’s family committed to the cause and helping out where they can in the project (like taking part in activations), it certainly helps.
Sue believes: “It’s been an awesome journey and a privilege to do this. Without the support of others, it wouldn’t have been possible, so a big thank to you to everyone and all the fundraisers.”
Her advice for other entrepreneurs looking to create something in the social justice space is to follow your instinct. “If you have a gut feeling and love what you do, then go for it and do as much as you can to help others because it’s so rewarding.”
Anyone wanting to get involved and contribute towards this worthwhile initiative can visit www.subzpads.co.za
