Tebogo Moloi, a notable figure in the Orlando Pirates soccer community and ambassador for the Zodwa Khoza Foundation, teamed up with Andy Mohlake, the owner of Chacoal events, to assist hundreds of students in Burgersfort, Limpopo. They provided boxes of sanitary towels as part of an initiative aimed at fostering dignity, hope, and self-confidence amidst a campaign addressing drug abuse.
The students at Mogale wa Bagale Technical High School expressed immense joy upon receiving sanitary towel packs from the former football star.
Moloi remarked, “We decided to give self-confidence to those who end up not attending school or skipping lessons because they are from families that are without income and survive on a social grant.”
Moloi’s initiative against gender-based violence aims to restore dignity and instill hope in learners from underprivileged backgrounds through the donation of sanitary products.
His focus on providing sanitary towels is intended to enhance the confidence and self-esteem of underprivileged learners, which can lead to better academic performance.
Additionally, he committed to identifying and nurturing talent among young boys.
“We have realised that girl children end up not attending school for no good reason other than they were on menstruation periods,” he stated.
Support for Moloi’s campaign comes from local teams, parents, and business owners eager to contribute to changing the lives of underprivileged children.
Moloi emphasized the importance of boosting self-confidence among students from rural areas to mitigate absenteeism.
He expressed, “I hope this will improve the matric result as no pupil should not attend class because of not having amenities.”
“It is education that will help to change their lives and make them better people. You can use education as a weapon to fight hunger and poverty,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for girls to feel comfortable and confident in school, allowing them to concentrate on their studies.
Moloi urged boys to cease bullying and stigmatizing girls during their menstrual periods.
“It is not taboo; stop thinking they were sleeping with boys when they are menstruating. It is natural for girl children as they develop and grow to menstruate as they are now becoming ready to be mothers,” he explained.
Moloi stated, “It was amazing what a pair of sanitary towels can do to a girl child, as it uplifts their confidence and ensures they don’t end up in a relationship with a sugar daddy, hoping they will provide for them as they seek to get an education.”
His initiative encompasses the donation of sanitary towels, a campaign against drug abuse, tackling gender-based violence, and a search for football talent.
“Most parents cannot afford to buy sanitary towels as they depend on children’s social grant money for survival, and some lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic outbreak,” he noted.
Moloi remarked, “We donate sanitary towels and hope indeed we change the lives of many pupils from not well to well-off families.”
He highlighted the stark reality that many parents are unable to provide for their children’s needs, relying on social grants for their livelihood.
