By Phenyo Mokgothu and Mafumane Tlhapi
The North-West University (NWU) GoAllOut and Golden Key student chapters on its Mahikeng Campus attempted the Guinness World Record for the longest line of sanitary pads on 25 March 2023.
Spanning a distance of 6 km, a total of 60 000 pads were laid in line to advocate against period poverty. This attempt has now been sent to Guinness World Records to evaluate.
This was a first of its kind in South Africa. Other institutions that succeeded in this attempt were Aston University in the United Kingdom in 2020 and the Professional University in India in 2022.
According to Melokuhle Magagula, chairperson of the GoAlOut student chapter, they managed to collect more than 100 000 single sanitary pads, and 400 volunteers, consisting of students and learners from schools around Mahikeng, helped them to achieve this goal.
“We will donate the sanitary pads to those in need, as we want to promote female hygiene and take a stand against period poverty. In addition, Bidvest Steiner has donated sanitary pad dispensers that will be placed in malls and schools around Mahikeng and at the university.”
Melokuhle says a petition has also been drawn up to encourage the government to legislate the issuing of free sanitary pads to girls in schools.
Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, says period poverty is a global issue.
“For many girls in our country and across Africa, getting their period means staying home from school, exposure to negative social stigma, and the risk of significant health issues - all because they don’t have access to safe sanitary products.
“The good news is that there are many activists and advocates working to raise awareness of period poverty and how it affects women and girls in Africa. Events such as this contribute to highlighting the plight of young women,” she adds.
The executive mayor of the Mahikeng local municipality, Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo, also lent a helping hand on the day, and said he is very proud of this initiative.
“This is a great effort of activism as in some areas of our country and elsewhere in the world, it is very difficult for young girls and women to obtain sanitary towels. You have demonstrated your heroic ability and for that, we are proud,” he said.
Various schools in and around Mahikeng attended the event and will be among the beneficiaries of the sanitary products. These schools include the International School of South Africa, Letsatsing Science Secondary School, Batswana Commercial Secondary School, Sol Plaatjie Secondary School, Mahikeng Secondary School and Golfview Secondary School.
Other participating stakeholders include the Mahikeng Mall, The Crossing Shopping Centre, Bidvest Steiner South Africa, the office of the Mahikeng executive mayor Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo, and various government departments.
Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, Tshepiso Mphehlo, mayor of the Mahikeng local municipality, Ella Mogashoa, Student Campus Council chairperson, and Jim Molautsi, director for student affairs, all lend a hand.
