Every year, Mandela Day serves as a poignant reminder of a man who honoured the power of reconciliation and exhibited extraordinary courage and remarkable vision. His generous spirit lives on throughout the world, and we celebrate the wisdom he shared through our ongoing initiatives to help others. It’s the finest example we know of paying it forward.

For us at Rennies BCD Travel, we’re passionate about the empowerment of women, who make up the majority of our workforce in the travel sector. That’s why we’ve partnered with Dignity Projects through the Modern Community Foundation and Bid Travel, to reduce barriers to learning and development that allows women to reach their full potential. Dignity Projects is a cluster CSI initiative that makes reusable, sanitary towels for young ladies living in underprivileged areas.

We recognise that one’s dignity is paramount. It goes way beyond human rights rhetoric and directly affects girls and women who cannot afford sanitary pads. The sad reality for seven million girls in South Africa is that they do not have access to sanitary pads. That equates to 30% of girls who do not attend school during their menstrual cycle.

The stigma of poverty is more than just a statistic; it’s a multifaceted barrier that hinders the progress of countless women and girls. It disrupts education, skews potential, and diminishes hope. But we firmly believe that everyone deserves the chance to excel, rise above the circumstances and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re striving to combat this reality through our partnerships with Dignity Projects. We are inspired by Mandela’s legacy to give back and empower and are tirelessly working towards a future where dignity isn’t a privilege but a fundamental right.

When we partner with communities that come together to provide solutions that restore the dignity of our fellow citizens, we’re offering them more than just essential health items, and we’re cultivating spaces where people can share ideas and conversations. We’re creating settings where people can achieve their potential, earn a fair wage, and contribute to providing for a future where the education of women and girls is no longer hindered by their natural cycles.

As we commemorate Mandela Day, it’s a moment for us to reassert our pledge to empower our communities and to proactively contribute to a better world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential. Through our partnerships, we’re working toward a better and more dignified future for all.