As the home of quality branded products such as Always, Pampers, Ariel, Olay, Oral B, Gillette and Pantene - P&G has touched the lives of many South Africans through global brands that make life a little better every day.

P&G, which was established 176 years ago and now serves five billion people across the world, will celebrate 20 years of making a meaningful difference to the lives of South Africans, introducing a social media campaign to say THANK YOU to the South Africans from all walks of like that its trusted products have touched.

Through the ‘Celebrating 20 years of P&G in 20 days’ campaign, P&G will reach out to communities and partners encouraging them to share their P&G story.

For 20 days South Africans will be invited to share their experiences of their favourite P&G products using the #PGTurns20 hashtag on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Competitions will be held online encouraging South Africans to share their story of any P&G products that they currently use and how using their favourite products improved their lives.

“Since P&G’s establishment in South Africa 20 years ago, we have been committed to bringing the best innovation and quality products to the public. This year we say thank you to all South Africans who have trusted our brands and walked this journey with us.

“We will continue to help contribute to a better quality of life for all,” says Michael Yates, managing director at P&G South Africa, adding that the company has also marked its anniversary by bringing Oral B toothpaste to local markets.

Through the lifespan of South Africa’s democracy, P&G has made a real difference to the lives of consumers and communities. It has confirmed its commitment to the country’s development by creating jobs and business opportunities, and supporting health initiatives in identified communities where its social programmes have made an impact.

Through its Pampers One Pack = One Vaccine campaign, P&G has challenged unacceptably high infant mortality rates. Working with UNICEF South Africa, P&G rolled out the campaign aimed at contributing to UNICEFs goal to eliminate neonatal and maternal tetanus. Locally the One Pack = One Vaccine partnership contributed more than five million vaccines to the global campaign, which was launched in 2008.

In 2007, P&G introduced the ‘Always Keeping Girls in School’ initiative which aimed at addressing the problem of absenteeism due to menstruation and motivate girls to stay in school by showing them the value of pursuing an education. By providing them with free sanitary towels, puberty and menstruation education and career counselling, the project has touched the lives of over 28 000 girls in South Africa and Kenya.

“P&G will continue to play a crucial role in the development of South Africans. We will work together through defined initiatives to help realise our country’s long-term vision and build a basis for partnerships across society. In celebrating our 20th birthday, we say Thank You to all those partners who have walked this journey with us. Here's to the next 20 years,” concludes Yates.