Teen leads car parade to fight period poverty
Tiamara Andrew turned horsepower into hope, leading a powerful car and bike convoy through Johannesburg for the Drive 2 Unite initiative.
On June 22, Fourways witnessed an extraordinary display of community spirit, youth activism, and motoring enthusiasm as Tiamara Andrew (17) took the wheel of change.
Leading a charity car and bike parade, Andrew organised the Drive 2 Unite event, a powerful initiative designed to raise awareness and gather essential supplies for girls suffering from period poverty.
The event, hosted by Blessing Lives in collaboration with Idle Auto Expo, drew hundreds of car, bike, and 4×4 enthusiasts. Participants embarked on a carefully co-ordinated convoy, escorted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), through Johannesburg’s streets and along the N1 highway.
Also read: Drive 2 Unite 2025 fights period poverty with cars
This convoy, comprised of everything from classics and supercars, to rugged 4x4s and motorcycles, culminated at the Montecasino events area, with a public vehicle showcase and community outreach.
Andrew said the initiative aims to highlight the pressing issue of menstrual hygiene and dignity. “It’s heartbreaking to think that so many girls are missing school simply because they don’t have access to sanitary products. Our drive is about showing that we care, using our love for cars and bikes to make a real difference in young girls’ lives.”
At last year’s event, they collected 22 000 packs of sanitary pads. This year’s goal was to collect even more. Director of the JMPD Angela Makasi said: “We are proud to support young leaders who are using their passion for motoring to create positive change in our community.”
Also read: Drive 2 Unite 2025 returns to empower South Africa’s young learners
Charlene Louw, CEO at the Beer Association of South Africa, also lent her voice. “This is not charity; it’s justice. This is dignity in action. To every girl out there, you are not receiving a favour, you are receiving your right, and with that right comes the power to rise, keep showing up, keep speaking up, and keep holding your head high.”
Dr Eularnia McMinn, a gynaecologist, educated learners and attendees about menstrual hygiene, and Karabo Mashaba, a learner from Umqele Comprehensive School, shared her story. “We are grateful to Blessing Lives for helping us with sanitary pads and menstrual education, because, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a mom to talk to about it.”
Umqele Comprehensive School learners danced and performed plays around the issue of period poverty and their daily lives as teenagers in South Africa.
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“This is more than a charity event; it’s a movement. We’re showing that when we come together, we can make a real difference in ending period poverty in South Africa,” concluded Andrew.
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