"If young people do not get up and do something from which their fellow youths will benefit, no one else will."
Nineteen-year-old Vukona Promise Maluleke, who heads up the Vukona Pads Drive Campaign, said that all stakeholders should step up and assist whichever way they could to support this philanthropic cause that the youth had taken upon themselves.
"Many young people and adults alike complain that not enough is being done to support youths in rural areas, but that's not the case," Vukona said. "Young people need to start involving themselves in projects that empower [their] fellow youths. Just sitting in the corner and complaining is not going to solve matters; it will only worsen the situation. Even supporters need to see how serious and determined we are when we ask for help."
Vukona, a Grade 11 pupil at Hanyani Nkuzana High School and a resident of Nkuzana village along the R578 road, brought her campaign to her own school recently, where she interacted with fellow youths and donated sanitary towels to girls. As a young woman with a deeply religious background, Vukona also delivered a speech based on Isaiah 60:22, teaching people the importance of patience.
"Many young people find themselves trapped in bad situations that are the direct results of impatience. They take shortcuts that lead to more problems that are hard to solve," she said.
About her strong character and the ability to carry out her projects successfully, she gives her mother the credit for instilling the good values Vukona treasures today.
"My mother, Tsakani Joyce Bila, is my pillar of strength and source of motivation. She has instilled a sense of responsibility; even planted in me a seed of love, where I now find myself extending that kind of love to fellow people. In particular to my peers," she said. "Vukona Pads Drive Campaign, which is mainly a youth foundation, is the result of the love within me."
Vukona decided to start donating sanitary towels earlier this year. Apart from running Vukona Pads Drive Campaign, this young woman is also a published author of a collection of poems, Nyenya Yo Vindzuka. Those who wish to support Vukona Maluleke's cause can reach her on 068 151 4910 or 071 644 0363.