UKZN Community Engagement Programme Donates Sanitary Towels

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UKZN’s School of Social Sciences collaborated with non-governmental organisation Themba Njilo Foundation to donate 20 buckets of reusable sanitary towels to Hayfield Primary School in Pietermaritzburg as part of their community engagement programme.

Lecturer Dr Balungile Zondi, one of the UKZN community engagement team’s fundraising committee members discovered the need for sanitary towels at the school. She approached Dr Maserole Kgari- Masondo, Academic Leader for Community Engagement who lent her support, with Zondi spearheading the initiative.

‘The vision of community service lies within the University Strategic Plan. When I was appointed Acting Academic Leader of Community Engagement in November 2021, I had many ideas,’ said Kgari-Masondo.

She sees this initiative as a way to position the University on the map while allowing people to share the little they have with the community, and empowering one another. ‘We will be organising a conference for ward councillors on how they can improve their areas,’ she added.

Kgari-Masondo appealed to the University community to support the School’s various fundraising ventures, including food and clothing hamper drives; bursary schemes and vegetable gardens at disadvantaged schools.

Hayfields Deputy Principal and School Governing Body Chairperson Ms Nomvula Shange expressed her thanks to UKZN and the Themba Njilo Foundation. ‘We appreciate this initiative. This donation arrived at the right time when we needed it most,’ she said.

Kgari-Masondo commented: ‘We appreciate members of staff like Dr Zondi who take their duties given to them in committees seriously and action them in communities.’ 

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Supplied