NW MEC DONATES SANITARY TOWELS TO LEARNERS

By Petrus Siko

• The North West Social Development MEC, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, announced the provision of 6,625 sanitary towels to disadvantaged learners in rural schools, addressing a critical barrier to education for girls during their menstrual cycles.
• During a recent visit to Rethusitswe Combined School, Dantjie emphasised that the lack of sanitary products negatively impacts girls’ hygiene, health, and educational participation, highlighting the need for continued support.
• The initiative is part of the ‘Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded’ programme, aimed at improving basic services and community engagement across the province, with plans to expand free sanitary towel distribution to women in non-profit organisations and cooperatives.

The provision of sanitary towels to rural schools will significantly restore the dignity of disadvantaged learners at risk of missing school due to their menstrual cycles.

North West Social Development MEC Basetsana Sussana Dantjie made this announcement to school management and learners at Rethusitswe Combined School in Kromkuil village, Moretele.

The lack of sanitary towels is a major contributor to girl learners missing classes. 

“According to our annual performance plan, our department will provide 6,625 sanitary towels to learners in need across the province in the current financial year. This initiative will help learners greatly, as they will no longer feel ashamed to attend school during their menstrual periods,” Dantjie stated, to applause from the students, teachers, and social workers who filled the school hall.

Dantjie emphasised that the absence of sanitary towels could compromise young girls’ hygiene, health, education, and participation in various activities.

Alongside Health MEC Sello Lehari and Education MEC Viola Motsumi, Dantjie donated sanitary towels to learners at the school as part of the North West’s year-long accelerated service delivery programme, known as ‘Thuntsa Lerole Reloaded.’

Launched by the NW provincial government in 2023, the Thuntsa Lerole programme aims to intensify and accelerate the provision of basic services, address service delivery blockages, and promote consistent engagement with communities across the province on service delivery issues.

During the handover ceremony, Jack Nkwena, principal of Rethusitswe Combined School, praised the authorities for delivering sanitary towels to learners—a timely gesture that met a critical need.

Nkwena noted that teachers had previously donated money to purchase sanitary towels for learners.

“We are incredibly grateful that the MECs visited our school and brought these essential items. We are in a disadvantaged community where many parents cannot afford sanitary packs. This donation will make a significant difference in the lives of our learners,” Nkwena said, adding that his school serves 606 learners across grades R to nine.

The provision of free sanitary towels in the province is also set to expand to organised women in non-profit organisations and cooperatives within the region.