Celebrity actresses drop in on Mams primary school

Learners at Lehlabile Secondary School in Mamelodi were treated to a motivational talk by actresses Nthati Moshesh and Harriet Manamela of Savage Beauty and Skeem Saam fame.

The celebrity guests visited the school to launch a campaign by Balwin Foundation in partnership with the Cuplings Foundation on October 17.

The Balwin Foundation has committed to donating more than 630 menstrual cup kits to girls and teachers at the school.

Cuplings Foundation menstrual cup kit is unique because it comes in three cup sizes – small, medium and large, a portable steriliser and a travel pouch.

A single menstrual cup lasts up to 10 years, meaning every learner and teacher that receives the Balwin donation does not have to worry about buying sanitary products for the next decade.

Balwin Foundation CEO Desiree Hogan said with this donation, Balwin will effectively end period poverty for more than 630 girls and teachers.

She said research has shown that girls miss up to a week of school every month due to a lack of sanitary products.

“This has far-reaching implications in a society that discriminates against women and girls from all backgrounds. Education is often the only means to break through barriers, escape poverty and make a success of life,” said Hogan.

Letlabile was chosen because it is close to two Balwin Property developments namely The Blyde Estate and Greencreek Estate.

“The local communities where Balwin develops properties are very dear to our hearts. We at Balwin have made a commitment to uplift these communities,” she said.

“It is a privilege for us to be part of ending period poverty in Letlabile.

“Knowing the girls will not have to miss a week of school every month due to not having access to menstrual health products is the kind of work we at Balwin Foundation pride ourselves in.”

Skeem Saam actress Harriet Manamela, addressing the learners, cautioned schoolboys against teasing a girl who has had an accident and messed herself.

She said: “You have a mother, you have a sister, you have a girlfriend and they all get their period.”

“So if you laugh at a girl child, know that someone else is laughing at your sister at another school or your mother on the streets.”

Actress Nthati Moshesh spoke about the importance of preparing for the upcoming exams.

She advised learners to stay off social media, work hard, and delay gratification so they can reap the rewards later in life.

Cuplings Foundation operations director, Thato Molope, said both his organisation and the Balwin Foundation would be back at the school to conduct separate workshops for girls and boys because menstruation is a critical issue that has to be understood by both.

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