The global pandemic has locked down our youth during a time of their lives where they are desperately looking to spread their wings.

The past 18 months have tested the country’s resolve and demonstrated the incredible resilience of all sections of the South African society. 

As part of the 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge’s campaign, we encourage South African women to #LiveLimitless and break down the barriers in their lives and redefine the limits that may exist. 

“What seemed impossible to us before has now become daily life — working from home and caring for our children at the same time? Impossible before, and now an average day,” said Alison Zweers, Managing Director of SPAR Western Cape.

This year’s theme has a strong focus on the youth, and we will be supporting the Petals Projects, which advocates for a shame-free education for all young women. 

There is a stigma and shame attached to their menstrual cycle for many young girls in South Africa. Due to the lack of access to simple hygiene products, they must make the difficult decision between embarrassment or education.

Entry fees for this year’s Virtual Challenge will support SPAR’s Petals Project, which aims to donate packs of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls removing one of the limitations to their education. 

SPAR is also proud to partner with three young South African women who embody what it means to #LiveLimitless. 

Chantel Struwig, Zizipho Soldati and Shirnell Swartz are three exceptional young women that refused to allow the challenges and limitations they had to deal with from an early age to define them. Instead, they have broken these shackles turning their challenges into opportunities. 

Struwig, born with a purplish-red mark covering most of her face, has become a vocal and virtual birthmark awareness advocate. Embracing her birthmark, the BCom Fashion student has overcome a negative self-image and encourages others to do the same using her social media platforms. 

The 26-year-old Soldati is an award-winning filmmaker, content creator, social media influencer and aspiring model. Soldati has not allowed a rare condition that causes very short limbs, called Phocomelia of the lower limbs, to put a limit on her dreams and ambitions. 

Swartz has excelled as a short speed skater representing South Africa at the Special Olympics, which has helped her discover her superb talent. She first got involved with Special Olympics South Africa when she was 13 years old at Casa De Sol School, where she found short speed skating.

This year you will again be able to not only create your own race number online, but you can also create your own certificate of completion – check out sparvirtualchallenge.co.za and follow the few easy steps.  

For more information on the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, which will take place on 4 September 2021, please see our FAQ section here: https://sparvirtualchallenge.co.za/faq/

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