Sanitary pads a boost for M’sane pupils

THE Black Lawyers’ Association (BLA) donated 3 500 packs of sanitary towels to Vukuhambe special school in Mdantsane on Friday.

BLA Eastern Cape general secretary Asanda Pakade said this would assist the girls to deal with their feminine hygiene needs so that they could attend school regularly.

BLA was in town for the 3rd Annual Godfrey Pitje memorial lecture. Pitje founded the BLA in 1977 and this year is its 40th anniversary.

Pakade said the donation was kindly received by the school.

“This is one of the most forgotten school in the province,” Pakade said.

The pads were handed over to the girls in front of their male counterparts.

BLA national general-secretary Baitseng Rangata said it was important for boys to witness the handover as a way of sensitising them.

She addressed a school hall packed with more than 100 pupils seated in wheelchairs some clutching their crutches.

“Boys, when a girl is on her period please do not mock or make fun of her because this is a natural process that every woman has to go through,” she told a class ringing with cheers.

Rangata said no child deserved to miss school because they did not have sanitary pads.

She made an passionate plea and urged the pupils to use their physical disabilities as their greatest strength.

“The future chief justice and the public protector might be amongst you.

We are here to support and motivate you because we hope to see some of you being lawyers.”

Rangata said: “We are here to reinforce your strength and give you wisdom to do anything nobody can ever imagine.”

Grade 10 pupil Asisiphe Peter accepted the sanitary pads on behalf of the girls.

Thanking the BLA team she said: “We come from different backgrounds and not everyone can afford to buy a packet of sanitary pads.

“This will make every child comfortable and everyone will benefit. Thank you very much on behalf of the learners of the school.”

● See also Page 4