Posts tagged: period poverty

Komani is derived from the Xhosa ukumkani, meaning monarch or royalty. Because our reusable pads straighten young women’s crowns by restoring their menstrual dignity, we called TUF’s social enterprise Komani.

The primary undertaking of Komani is the manufacture and distribution of washable sanitary pads to underprivileged schoolgirls. It’s a win-win solution, as the product is not only less risky to the user, but also kinder to the environment. While we are supplying the pads, we also educate the recipients about menstrual hygiene management.

This month, with the generous backing of Macsteel and other sponsors, we will embark on a road trip to deliver 10 000 Komani packs to students in outlying areas of the Western and Eastern Cape districts – culminating in the town of Komani.

The translation was also used when renaming the old Queenstown to Komani. Hence, our road trip is referred to as Komani2Komani, or K2K for short.

A Pad-Packed Adventure

The route specifically targets schools in the peri urban and rural areas that society disregards.

Worcester

Just over an hour out of Cape Town, Worcester is a perfect example of the knock-on effects of period poverty.

Despite its idyllic placement between majestic mountain ranges and fertile valleys of vineyards and orchards, much of Worcester’s population lives below the breadline. In fact, researchⁱ reveals that many of its adults survive on nutritionally meagre diets and a quarter of Worcester’s children under five are stunted due to malnourishment. This is a shocking statistic, especially considering that the Breede River Valley is the largest fruit producing valley in the Western Cape.

Poverty is an obvious source of this gap. But so too is poor maternal education – 73% of the mothers in the study were unemployed and 66% had not completed a Grade 12 qualification. These findings underscore our commitment to assisting young women to confidently contribute to society throughout the month.

Robertson

Travelling approximately 50 km south-east along the R60, our next stop on the K2K itinerary is Robertson – valley of wine and roses. Part of the Langeberg Municipality, Robertson boasts the oldest irrigation scheme in South Africa!

According to a 2023 reportⁱⁱ, Robertson has a medium growth potential forecast. But it is still a poor settlement that is home to a large number of grant recipients. As with other towns in the Cape Winelands District, more than a third of Robertson’s inhabitants live below the poverty line.

Swellendam

Sixty-three kilometres away and crossing into the Overberg District, day two sees Komani in Swellendam – the third oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch).

The matric pass rate for Swellendam has improved significantly, but that doesn’t reflect the dip in mathematics and science outcomes – both of which may impact future opportunities. The stats also overlook the low Grade 10 to 12 retention rate of just 65%ⁱⁱⁱ.

Mossel Bay

A hefty 170km drive along the N2 takes us to Mossel Bay, a.k.a., Mosselbaai. Regarded as a mid-point between Western Cape and Eastern Cape, it’s a fitting town to include on our itinerary.

Aside from 45 shipwrecks along its coastline, there are 25 schools in the municipal area – 75% of which are no-fee schools. Compared to other municipalities in the Garden Route District, Mossel Bay has the third-lowest percentage of its population living below the poverty line at just over 60% iv.

George

Continuing for 60km along the N2, Komani starts the third day of road tripping in George. The town is an economic hub and driver of growth in the Garden Route District.

The 50v schools in the area have experienced growth in learner enrolment that is attributed to an influx of working-age population to the locality. Fortunately, the increased number of scholars has been matched by an increased number of teachers. This is evident in a learner retention rate on an upward trend that bodes well for the future economic potential of the municipal area. For some reason, though, this does not translate into better outcomes, as George has the second lowest matric pass rate in the region.

Sedgefield

Komani’s last stop in the Western cape, Sedgefield falls under the Knysna Municipality. Of the 19 educational institutions within the municipal area, >79% vi operate as no-fee schools – indicative of the socio-economic climate.

Despite being a picturesque seaside village that is surrounded by lakes and pristine beaches covered in fynbos, Sedgefield has a skill gap that impacts businesses. Top of the list, at 40%^vii, is a lack of proper communication skills. In other words, more time is needed covering the basics in school to boost the trade sector.

Gqebera

The 285 km from Sedgefield to Gqeberha takes Komani through the spectacular Tsitsikama and into the Eastern Cape – South Africa’s poorest province. While the IMF forecasts economic performance in 2024 to improve by 3.1% globally, and 0.9% in S.A., the Eastern Cape GDP^viii decreased by 1.1 percentage points in 2024Q1 alone.

Yet notable people hailing from iBhayi prove how going to school is a powerful driver of development. Footballer Ronwen Williams, stars of the stage, Shashi Naidoo and Zolani Mahola, too many cricketers to mention, and everyone’s favourite rugby captain, Siya Kolisi all hail from Gqebera.

Kariega

Situated on the banks of the Swartkops River, Kariega is the base for Goodyear factories and Volkswagen of South Africa. Prospects are promising as VW plans to invest R4 billion ^ix in the Kariega plant in preparation for the manufacture of a compact SUV from 2027.

Additionally, thanks to Kariega’s significant contribution in the struggle for democracy in South Africa, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) recently set aside over R40 million ^x towards the completion of the Uitenhage Railway Sheds. This represents nearly 50% of the MBDA’s capital budget, with a target of June 2025 for completion.

Seven Fountain Farm Village School

According to the Makana Tourism website ^xi, “Seven Fountains was originally a resting place for ox-wagons in the 18th century. Today the village comprises shops, a clinic, sports club, and police station.”

Found halfway between Makhanda and the Indian Ocean, the beautiful Seven Fountains Farm is open as a guest house, lunchroom, and event venue. It has a special bond with K2K sponsors, Macsteel, as an incentive for two of their local community projects. Komani will be visiting the 7FF Village School.

Alice

Literary lovers will immediately wonder if this Amathole District settlement is, indeed, a town like Nevil Shute’s 1950’s Alice Springs. Certainly, the theme of Jean’s gift (by women) for women ties in with Komani’s road trip. Similarly, SA’s first Black nurse, Cecilia Makiwane came from Alice and fought for women’s rights.

Seymour

Approximately 62 km north-west of Alice is the hamlet of Seymour, situated on the Katrivier Dam.

Whittlesea

Another 62 km north leads the Komani team to the Chris Hani District town of Whittlesea. Although it is home to only 12,000^xii inhabitants, the town boasts two wineries – Harrison Hope just outside Whittlesea and Inkosi Wines at the Shiloh Irrigation Scheme.

Komani

The final 40 km ends our road trip in Komani. A distinguishing feature of the town is its layout around a central hexagon. While this was originally meant to be a defensive stronghold, it was never used for its intended purpose.

With a population of 105,000, Komani was the birthplace of many of South Africa’s sporting royalty, from cricketers Dave Callaghan and Daryll Cullinan, to football star and coach Jomo Sono, and a plethora of rugby legends.

This is the final destination on the #K2K road trip where Komani will be breaking gender barriers and opening doors of opportunity for schoolgirls and young women.

Looking to the Rest of South Africa

“Education is one of the primary resources of change, a powerful driver of development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, and stability.”

Let’s continue to drive the trend of keeping girls in school so that they can fulfil their potential and boost the country’s economic prospects.

Join Komani as we scan the horizon for new places that need our vision “To eradicate period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.” Donate now and restore menstrual dignity.

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