The Voice It In Action organisation held a two-day Back-to-School quarterly campaign before school reopened, giving new hairstyles and cuts to Mamelodi learners.

The Back-to-School campaign was organised by the organisation and it was held in the Denlyn Mall parking lot on April 7–8.

Lenah Mashigo from the organisation said that this is an ongoing campaign, which they started last year for both boys and girls.

Mashigo said the campaign is held two days before school reopens, under the theme ‘Crowns of Confidence’ and ‘Beyond the Classroom’.

“The campaign aims to create innovative activities that will not only help children get new hairstyles, but also get them ready for a new school term,” said Mashigo.

The activities are free and parents are asked to bring their children.

The school campaign encourages the learners to go to school looking good, with new hairstyles and had the opportunity to get ‘Benny and Betty’ hairstyles and free-hand cornrow hairstyles for free.

She said the campaign had lots of activities, from changing hairstyles, haircuts, educational support programmes, sports, indigenous games, information stalls, and entertainment.

“We are working together with different stakeholders in Mamelodi,” said Mashigo.

The campaign works in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape in collaboration with several partners, and a wide range of stakeholders from national, provincial, municipal, and local levels.

“This rollout serves as a national proof of concept, demonstrating how structured, community-led programmes can be replicated across South Africa through partnerships with civil society, government, and the private sector,” she said.

She added that through this initiative, communities are mobilised to restore dignity and confidence in learners, promote school readiness and self-care, and provide access to educational, social, and economic support.

She further said the campaign raises awareness on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), strengthen family and community involvement in education.

“The campaign is actually empowering everyone.”

“We are fighting GBVF by educating and empowering young people by keeping them busy with education programmes and sports,” he said.

Voice It In Action is a non-profit and public benefit organisation established in 2015, focused on addressing systemic social challenges through community safety, GBVF prevention, education and sustainable development and economic empowerment initiatives.

Mashigo added that some stores in Denlyn Mall also sponsored the campaign with hair products.

Anyone who wishes to partake in the Back-to-School campaign as a volunteer or sponsor can contact the organisation on 068 274 9877.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel