Zenzeleni Primary School receive dignity packs in the hundreds

Cllr Thapelo Amad, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, restored a girl child’s dignity by delivering over 1 000 sanitary packs to Zenzeleni Primary School in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.

Mayor Amad presented the dignity packs to Zenzeleni prepubescents after the morning assembly, which were donated by multinational retailer Spar through its “Dignity for a Girl Child” initiative.

The Joburg Ladies Open International Golf Tournament, in collaboration with Spar, launched a Birdies Drive, in which the retailer contributed a dignity sanitary pack for each professional golfer’s birdie throughout the sporting event.

During the tournament’s Pro-Am session, over R10K was raised as the Splash for Dignity initiative was activated, allowing Spar to donate approximately 1 313 dignity sanitary packs. Invited female amateur golfers were fined R50 for each ball that landed in a water pond, with the proceeds going toward purchasing more sanitary packs.

Spar’s dignity pack included four packets of sanitary pads, as well as toothpaste, washing cloths, toothbrushes, deodorant, and spray.

According to Mayor Amad, the initiative was established to restore the dignity of a girl child, and Johannesburg fits the bill as a caring city.

“We see potential leaders, doctors, and attorneys in you,” Mayor Amad told the dozens of schoolchildren.

He urged them not to allow their circumstances to dictate their destiny.

“You must concentrate on performing well in your studies and achieving high marks so that possibilities will present themselves to you. Since I also come from a disadvantaged background, everything is possible,” said Mayor Amad.

Bongi Mokaba, the City’s Director of Event Management was excited that the day to deliver the sanitary packs had finally arrived.

“I am short of words to describe how I feel, however, I am happy to see the smile on those young girls as they receive their packs from the Executive Mayor. Girls should never miss class because they are going through their menstrual cycle,” said Mokaba.

Zenzeleni School Principal, Thandi Gumede said she was delighted the City kept its promise to deliver sanitary packs. Gumede said the school would continue to brag about a visit from the first citizen of Joburg and the gift that he brought for them.

“This is a highlight and memory the school will cherish forever. There is a Zulu saying: lokhu enisenzele kona nikwenze nakwabanye. How I wish I could differ with that and say, you should do it again with us,” said the delighted Gumede.

Thirteen-year-old Grade 7 leaner Ayola thanked the Executive Mayor for the visit and the City of Johannesburg for the gifts they received. She promised that they will concentrate on their studies knowing anything is possible.