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19 September 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Anthony Mthembu
GEADO donates sanitary towels to community development initiative 2024
From left to right: Morwesi Malebo, Founder of ‘Give a Flower for a Change’, and Geraldine Lengau, Senior Officer in the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice at UFS.

As part of its ongoing Dignity Kit Awareness Campaign, launched in 2023, the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office (GEADO) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently contributed to a community development initiative titled ‘Give a Flower for a Change.’ A batch of sanitary towels was recently officially handed over at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, facilitated by Geraldine Lengau, Senior Officer in the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice.

According to Lengau, GEADO has made several similar donations on campus, benefitting initiatives such as the ‘No Student Hungry’ (NSH) programme, staff members through the Office of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness, as well as student walk-ins, among others. This latest donation extends the reach of the Dignity Kit Campaign beyond the campus community. ‘’This forms part of our mandate to raise awareness, particularly in uplifting the dignity of women. It is essential for the university to provide these dignity kits, as it demonstrates its commitment to addressing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and promoting awareness,’’ said Lengau. She further emphasised that such donations foster a broader effort by the university to create a culture of respect, empathy, and support for surrounding communities, thus advancing social justice as articulated in the UFS’s Vision 130 strategic plan. 

Supporting Give a flower for a Change

The sanitary towels were handed over to Morwesi Malebo, founder of ‘Give a Flower for a Change’. According to Malebo, the initiative works closely with Unity Primary School in Bloemfontein, aiming to uplift the lives of children, particularly those from previously disadvantaged households. ‘’I have heard of instances at the school where some learners resorted to using cloth during their periods because they lacked access to sanitary towels,” Malebo shared. The donation will now help provide the necessary supplies to these children.

The initiative relies heavily on donations, accepting sanitary towels, school shoes, toiletries, and other essential items. Malebo stressed the significant impact of these contributions, noting that the learners are ‘’incredibly grateful, and the positive change in their lives is visible.” Without such resources, learners often feel self-conscious, which affects their performance at school. Collaborations with partners like GEADO, Malebo added, are crucial to the development of communities like hers. Consequently, she hopes to expand the initiative to high schools across Bloemfontein and maintain a strong partnership with GEADO.

News Archive

UFS Council approves Moshoeshoe memorial lecture
2004-11-29

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the implementation of a Moshoeshoe memorial lecture as from next year.

“This initiative forms part of the bigger Moshoeshoe project to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. The project was launched in April 2004 as part of the UFS centenary celebrations. One element of the project was the production of a documentary film, commissioned by the UFS, which was broadcast on SABC2,” says Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“The Moshoeshoe project, which honours the founder of the Basotho nation’s example of nation-building and reconciliation, is a practical demonstration of the university’s commitment to the continued transformation of the campus and the creation of a new inclusive institutional culture for all staff and students,” says Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie the memorial lecture will have a conscious continental focus with speakers from South Africa, Africa and the African diaspora.

“The high-level lectures will raise critical issues about models of African leadership for the African Renaissance and will contribute to the discourse on nation-building, reconciliation, political tolerance, diversity management etc,” says Prof Fourie.

The first Moshoeshoe memorial lecture is likely to take place in March 2005 on the anniversary of his death.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
29 November 2004

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