Ormonde’s Zinhle Dube leads ThriveFem to empower girls with menstrual health education

Young Zinhle Dube’s foundation, ThriveFem, which focuses on menstrual and reproductive health education and support for young girls and women in SA, is making waves.

A personal journey sparks a movement

Raised in Ormonde, Johannesburg south, Zinhle is the second of three children. She attended Robertsham Primary School and studied at the UJ Metropolitan Academy for high school. Now in her second year of a Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the North-West University, Zinhle balances her studies with a passion for advocacy.

“I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at 16. There was little support and information available, and that experience made me realise how much more needed to be done.”

The ThriveFem Foundation was born out of that realisation. It works to break the stigma around menstrual and reproductive health while ensuring girls and women have access to basic dignity.

“No girl should feel confused, ashamed or unsupported about her body. We’re building a generation of informed, empowered young women,” said Zinhle.

Breaking the silence

This May, in honour of Menstrual Health Month, ThriveFem is running its Pads & Advocacy campaign to collect 500 to 1 000 sanitary pads for girls in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. Community members are encouraged to donate or follow the campaign on Instagram @thrivefemfoundation.

Zinhle explained the campaign’s importance, “Silence can be dangerous. Young people can’t make informed choices if they don’t understand their bodies. Education gives girls the confidence to own their bodies, choices and futures.”

Zinhle is also involved in the Sisterhood Foundation, where she served as the fundraising and sponsorship co-ordinator last year and is now the chairperson.

“That network gave me the skills and support I needed to keep pushing forward,” she said.

ThriveFem hosts awareness drives, donation campaigns, educational talks and menstrual health parades. It also uses social media to reach more young people and start honest conversations.

A vision for the future

“I hope ThriveFem becomes a beacon of hope, education and empowerment. I want every girl to know her dignity is worth protecting, her voice is worth hearing, and her future is worth investing in.”

One moment that stood out for her was at a pad donation drive.

“A young girl said to me, ‘You made me feel seen’. That stuck with me. Sometimes, the biggest impact is simply helping someone feel valued and understood.”

Running a foundation while studying isn’t easy. “It’s a delicate balance. I’ve learnt to ask for help, to rest when needed and to stay connected to my ‘why’.”

Zinhle credits female leaders and mentors for teaching her what real leadership is.

“It’s not about being the loudest voice. It’s about listening, building and uplifting others,” she said.

Her advice to other young people who want to start their own initiative would be to start now, even if scared.

“You don’t need to have everything figured out. Small actions multiplied by many create real change.”

Zinhle hopes to grow ThriveFem across provinces and host annual menstrual health festivals. But for now, the focus is on the May campaign – and every pad donated helps bring dignity to a girl in need.

Follow ThriveFem Foundation on Instagram @thrivefemfoundation to donate, volunteer or support the cause.
As Zinhle puts it, “No act is too small. Together, we can create a world where every girl thrives.”