Johannesburg. 13 March 2024. More than 800 Grade 6 and 7 girl-learners from three schools in the east of Johannesburg received a donation of 2 600 packs of sanitary pads from Tiger Brands.
The handover ceremony was held at Rebontsheng Primary School in Vosloorus, a beneficiary of the Tiger Brands Foundation national school breakfast programme, and one of the three beneficiary schools that will receive sanitary pads. Learners from Rondebult Primary School and Phumula Primary School in Germiston will also receive sanitary pads collected during a Tiger Bands employee volunteerism collection drive.
The handover was attended by star players from Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ladies Squad who offered the girls words of encouragement.
Local NGO Abundance in Light provided an educational talk about the female reproductive process including tips on good menstrual hygiene.
Girl learners from the three schools will each receive up to four packs of sanitary pads. The schools will also receive additional packs to keep in stock.
“I learned a lot of things and it was great to teach young ladies about maturing and navigating the changes undergoes as you get older.” - Oratile Mokoena, Sundowns Ladies Squad midfielder
From left: Mr Sithole, Rebontsheng Primary School; Kgopotso Radebe of NGO Abundance in Light and Lulu Khumalo, Tiger Brands External Affairs Director (far right) with Mamelodi Sundown Ladies Squad players: Miche Minnies, Oratile Mokoena, Mbali Ntimane, Shawe Malebogo.
According to the most recent research release by the South African Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, at least seven million girls are absent an average of 1.6 and 2.1 days every month, missing at least 25% of the learning year, because they are unable to afford sanitary pads.
“Tiger Brands is focused on uplifting society’s most vulnerable, be it in supporting food security as South Africa’s largest food producer or giving young girls their dignity and confidence back during an important time of their lives and ensuring they are not robbed of their education. Our adolescent girls should know they are cared for and supported,” says Preeya Naidu, Manager Socio-Economic Development, Tiger Brands.
Tiger Brands expects to run the collection drive regularly to ensure a sustained supply of sanitary pads to schools and encourages others to join the cause to bring dignity back to girls.
