Two third-year students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing were recently invited to give lessons on health and hygiene to female learners in Grade 4 to 7 at the Molema Memorial Primary School in Mahikeng.

Nomshado Ncube and Imagine Thakadu, accompanied by Boitumelo Molato, a lecturer in community nursing science, visited the school.

According to principal Sello Moeng, female learners aged 10 to 14 often follow unhygienic practices due to a lack of information. and inadequate communication between them and their parents.

Nomasonto explained basic hygiene to the learners. “It is important to brush your teeth twice a day and bath daily. Remember to brush your hair every day, get a regular haircut, and wear clean clothes and underwear,” she told them.

Imagine spoke to the learners about gender-based violence and their human rights.

“It is important to report any instances of gender-based violence or violation of your human rights to a trusted adult,” she explained.

“This means that, if someone humiliates you in public, calls you names, touches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, makes sexual remarks about your body or behaviour, asks or forces you to touch them inappropriately, or physically hurt you, you have to report it.”

Imagine told the learners that by reporting these violations they can help to prevent gender-based violence and the violation of their human rights.”

Here is lecturer Boitumelo Molato,along with nursing students Nomshado Ncube and Imagine Thakadu, and teachers at the Molema Memorial Primary School.