Hundreds of cars and bikes are set to take over the streets of Johannesburg on September 27 to make an impact against period poverty for Drive 2 Unite, an initiative aimed at improving the lives of women and girls.

Hosted by Idle Auto Expo in collaboration with Blessing Lives NPO, Drive 2 Unite brings together vehicle enthusiasts, businesses and the public to raise awareness around an issue that is often overlooked.

What started in 2023 has grown into a movement. Between 2023 and 2025, fewer than 100 000 sanitary pads have been donated — more than 96 000 in total — helping more than 16 000 women and girls.

Read more: Blessing Lives stands against gender-based violence

Blessing Lives NPO director Tiamara Andrew (19) said, “Our purpose in ‘stopping the highway’ was not to have a moment of silence for those who have struggled, but to make enough noise by revving all our vehicles. We were saying that we had had enough of girls staying silent. We were breaking the silence.”

Drive 2 Unite is back for 2026, described by organisers as bigger, louder and carrying an even greater purpose. The initiative is calling on the public to go to Montecasino, support the participating vehicles and join the fight against period poverty.

Entry to the Montecasino event area is free, and members of the public are encouraged to bring sanitary-pad donations.

Also read: Blessing Lives lives up to its name

This year’s event will feature supercars, custom cars, classic cars, superbikes and custom bikes, with Africa’s first RWB Porsche also joining the convoy and being displayed at Montecasino. The Porsche was built at Idle Auto Expo by RWB founder Akira Nakai.

This drive is in partnership with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the Department of Education, Pandae, Colcacchio, Max Recruitment, Idle Auto Expo, and Special Ops.

The event is about more than collecting sanitary products. At Montecasino, underprivileged learners will be part of a stage programme focused on menstrual health, hygiene and sanitary dignity, with speakers sharing practical information, personal experiences and encouragement.

Alongside the vehicle showcase and stage programme, the event will have food vendors and entertainment, creating a day for the automotive community and the public to come together for a cause that affects thousands of girls.

Andrew said one sanitary pad may seem small, but to a girl who needs it, it can mean everything. She added that it can be the reason a girl walks into school with confidence instead of staying at home, which is why they continue to drive, speak out and break the silence.

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