As South Africa celebrates Women's Month 2025, the Impilo Collection Foundation has called on citizens, corporates and communities to help close the gap — 2 100 bras short of their symbolic goal of collecting 8 849 bras — one for every metre of Mount Everest.
This campaign, 'Summer for Hope' is led by mountaineer, jewellery designer, ambassador of Brand South Africa and philanthropist Angela Yeung, who continues to shine a light on the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Angela, one of the few South African women to summit Everest's treacherous North Side, dedicated her climb to the millions of GBV survivors in South Africa and beyond, says the NPO.
"Climbing Everest was about showing that survivors of violence can rise, heal, and reclaim their power," says Yeung. "Now, during Women's Month, we ask South Africans to help us reach the summit of this mission — 8 849 bras for dignity, awareness and solidarity."
The bras, collected across nine provinces, will become part of 'EmpowerHer: Bras for Humanity', a travelling art exhibition launching during '16 Days of Activism 2025'. This moving display — featuring bras as symbols of oppression, liberation and resilience — will tour public spaces, corporate atriums and civic venues, before being donated to shelters and underserved communities, says the NPO.
Angela's journey also extends beyond Everest. After summiting, she treks deep into the Himalayas to deliver over 100kg of clothing, shoes and school supplies to remote children at Rolwaling Monastery and Mountain Children Home, aiming to reinforce the Impilo Collection Foundation's mission: Uplift 1-million lives by 2035 through 'EmpowerHer', 'EmpowerHim', and 'EmpowerThem,' adds the NPO.
Join the Women's Month Movement
- Donate a bra: Gently used or new bras can be dropped off at collection points (details available on their website).
- Contribute R25: Sponsor a new bra for a woman in need.
- Volunteer: Join the Social Warrior Network to help with events and exhibitions.
- Corporate Partners: Sponsor the travelling exhibition and host an EmpowerHer installation.
"We are not just collecting bras — we are collecting voices, stories and strength. Together, let's summit this mountain of change," concludes Yeung.
For more information, visit www.impilofoundation.org. You can also follow Impilo Collection Foundation on Facebook, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor