Makashule Gana, MPL in Gauteng; SPAR Womens Virtual Challenge Ambassador, Thandy Matlaila and MP Solly Malatsi at “The Home Run For Education”

 

SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge Ambassador Thandy Matlaila spent part of her Womens Day on the road running the third leg of “The Home Run for Education” with Member of Parliament, Solly Malatsi and Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng, Makashule Gana.

Malatsi and Gana are presently on a fundraising run for education running 500km from Soweto to Tzaneen between 26 July and 08 August 2021, averaging 35km daily.

On day three of “The Home Run for Education”, Thandy Matlaila whose brand is built around wellness and health, joined Malatsi and Gana on their leg between Irene in Centurion and Montana north of Pretoria.

SPAR met the runners at Montana SUPERSPAR where a donation of sanitary pads was handed over by store manager George Montana and SPAR North Rand sponsorship manager, Retha Ingenbleek presented Thandy Matlaila with flowers and hamper in celebration of Women’s Day.

The run is an initiative by the two runners to raise funds for school uniforms, school shoes and sanitary pads for poor learners in Limpopo. Malatsi and Gana aim to raise R500 000 for this cause. 

“As ardent runners who are equally passionate about playing our part in opening the doors of opportunities in education for poor learners, we decided to launch “The Home Run for Education” to achieve this. Both of us know the struggles of poor learners in rural areas with regards to lack of proper school uniform and shoes. 
We also know the pain and shame that many female learners endure when they miss school during their menstrual cycle. Statistically, 1 in 10 girls miss a day of school monthly during their periods because they can't afford sanitary pads.” said Malatsi and Gana.

Thandy Matlaila said she welcomed the initiative by Malatsi and Gana and felt it appropriate on Women’s Day to give support to the cause. “I am passionate about education and giving, especially girls, the opportunity of going to school. As Ambassador of the upcoming SPAR Womens Virtual challenge I am calling on women to enter the virtual challenge so that thousands of packets of sanitary pads can be donated to schoolgirls nation wide to help keep them in school.”

Online entries for the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge close on 15 August. Entry fee is only R60 and gives you a race pack consisting of a limited-edition T-Shirt, buff, medal and virtual race magazine. For each entry received, SPAR will donate a pack of sanitary pads to schoolgirls. You can enter at www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za