Wandile Mloyi
Bulawayo’s multi-award-winning all-female Imbube ensemble Nobuntu are set to give out sanitary pads to young artistes on 21 April at Isilwane Youth Centre in Old Pumula suburb, under their pad bank initiative.
The main aim of the pad bank initiative is to make sure young creatives have access to pads during their menstrual periods to maintain cleanliness and comfort during rehearsals.
The event will open with a sister workshop, followed by a performance by Nobuntu and finally, the sanitary pad bank giveout.
Nobuntu’s representative, who is also a member of the group, Duduzile Sibanda said the presentation would be a perfect time to educate up-and-coming artistes on various topics regarding the arts industry.
“Most young and up-and-coming artistes don’t know how to handle the media, the stage craft, and have no idea how to deal with issues like finance, the glam side of the arts and dress codes according to their genres. Therefore, we will teach them that,” said Sibanda.
Nobuntu was supposed to give out sanitary pads to young artistes in 2020, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was put to a halt.
“On Friday, we are donating the pads that we gathered in 2020 and we are excited to meet all the youths who will be attending this launch, “said Sibanda.
The globetrotting group has launched sanitary pad banks in areas such as Ndlovu Youth Centre in Tshabalala and Sizinda Youth Centre.
“We are also extending our invite to all people including the leaders in Bulawayo, to assist in donating pads so that the initiative becomes more effective.
“Through this initiative, we believe that we have made a change over the past years, and we are hoping that with more help, we will reach further,” she added.
Meanwhile, in celebration of the pad bank launch, the group will perform at Fairy Café at Imbali Mall on 23 April.