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AHF South Africa Menstrual Health Day Event – Gauteng

HA O BATLA MEDIA NETWORK

On 28 May 2026 , Kgoro Ya Thuto Secondary School in Heidelberg, Gauteng, became the vibrant stage for AHF South Africa’s Menstrual Health Day commemorative event . The gathering formed part of the global Menstrual Health Day campaign, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to reduce stigma around menstruation and improve access to safe facilities and affordable menstrual products for young people across the country. The activation was delivered under AHF’s Youth Protection Programme and Girls Act initiative , in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, lil lets period pads and the Baithudi Mampane Foundation . Together, these partners emphasized the importance of empowering learners with knowledge and fostering supportive environments in schools. Highlights of the Programme Learners participated in interactive sessions designed to break down barriers and encourage open dialogue and giveaways: Menstrual hygiene education : Practical lessons on health and hygiene practices. Debunking myths : Addressing misconceptions that perpetuate stigma. Product demonstrations : Showcasing reusable and affordable menstrual product options. Boys as allies : Promoting inclusivity and support from male learners. A particularly impactful element was the collaborative drafting of an advocacy ask document , where learners voiced their challenges and proposed solutions. These insights will contribute to a report to be presented to Parliament, ensuring that youth perspectives shape national dialogue on menstrual health. The Atmosphere The event was not only informative but also deeply engaging. Learners expressed enthusiasm in breaking the silence around menstruation, while educators and facilitators encouraged a culture of openness and respect. The energy in Heidelberg reflected a growing movement across South Africa to normalize conversations about menstrual health and dismantle harmful taboos.

Brooks Wraps Up First Championship Tour Member Victory Thanks To Tahiti Pro Comeback

Canadian Erin Brooks wrapped up her first World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) member victory on Thursday at the Tahiti Pro stop after edging a comeback thriller against Israeli Anat Lelior as American Griffin Colapinto battled through to finish second in the men's event. Here is all you need to know: Clean, four-to-six-foot, hollow barrels greeted competitors to Finals Day, setting the stage for an incredible day of action after both Brooks and Colapinto had dug deep to progress throughout the event on the back of some classy surfing. Brooks started out her challenge with a tense win over France's Tya Zebrowski before she held her nerve against five-time world champion Carissa Moore to post two decent scores in a 11.83 to 8.90 victory. The quarter-finals were an altogether easier affair against 2025 world champion Molly Picklum, the Australian struggling to find a decent wave as Brooks reeled off scores 7.67 and 5.83 to advance. The semi-finals saw Brooks step up a gear to catch a brilliant wave of 9 that she followed up with a 6.10 to defeat Australian Isabella Nichols and secure a place in the final against Lelior, who advanced on the other side of the draw where Americans Caitlin Simmers and Caroline Marks stumbled.The all-goofy-footed final saw Brooks and Lelior trade clean barrels to open with Brooks riding a slightly deeper tube next up - adding a 6.03 to her scoreline - before Lelior improved her backup to a second excellent ride of an 8.00 that put Brooks into a heavy combination at the halfway point. Finally locking into the wave she was hoping for at 17 minutes, Brooks delayed a stylish bottom-turn into a throaty barrel to answer back with an 8.27 and followed up with a 8.93 soon after leaving Lelior in need of an 8.88 - which she was unable to find as Brooks earned her first CT full member win. The 19-year-old, who moves up seven places to 11th overall, said: "I'm just so thankful to God for sending me my waves, because I honestly thought I was out. In a combo really early, I knew I had time, but it's super hard to get good waves and it made me nervous. I haven't had a win in so long, so it feels really good because I was almost doubting myself. The season has been really hard." In the men's event, Italian Leonardo Fioravanti and Japan's Kanoa Igarashi could not make it out of the second round, Frenchman Kauli Vaast and Brazil's João Vitor Chianca falling next round up. The quarter-finals saw Brazilian Ítalo Ferreira put on a show for the crowd on the beach with a 15.50 to 11.94 victory over Australian Ethan Ewing as Colapinto needed every trick in his book to edge out Australian Jack Robinson 11.83 to 11.50 in the last eight on the other side of the draw. 2019 world champion Ferreira's run came to an end in the semi-finals after losing out to Hawaiian Seth Moniz 15.76 to 13.83 as Colapinto easily got past Moroccan Ramzi Boukhiam to reach the final. A long wait for the opening wave of the Final saw Colapinto attack first to bank a score of 7.67 with Moniz pulling off a spectacular 9.07 at the fifth time of asking to put the pressure on. Colapinto needed a near-perfect 9.90 to close it out, but he could only manage a 7 as Moniz's 9.07 saw him finish in style - the American moving up four places to eighth overall in the 2026 rankings despite the loss. After his best result of the season, the 28-year-old Colapinto said: "It's crazy the way that all panned out to have Seth and I in the Final together, that's a dream come true. Seth and I have been best friends since we were 10 and always dreaming of being in this position."

Taking Parliament to the People Closing Debate Highlights Progress and Persistent Service Delivery Challenges

The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) Taking Parliament to the People programme concluded on Friday with a high-level debate led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as premiers from four provinces reflected on service delivery challenges, governance interventions and infrastructure development in their respective regions. Premiers from the North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape used the platform to outline progress made in stabilising municipalities, addressing illegal mining and improving public infrastructure, while acknowledging persistent frustrations among communities. Premiers of North West and Gauteng, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi and Mr Panyaza Lesufi respectively, had previously appealed directly to the President to deploy soldiers to tackle illegal mining, and the intervention has since yielded positive results. Premier Mokgosi also highlighted the impact of recent heavy rains, saying that the floods had caused significant damage to schools, roads and clinics across the province. “The heavy rains that took place in the country and this province had a devastating impact on our people, and we are assessing the damage on the ground. As soon as we know how much is needed, we will come and knock at your door Mr President to request for funds,” he said. Addressing residents of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District and the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, Premier Mokgosi acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction with municipal services, saying that his office has heard their cries, concerns and proposed solutions. Premier Mokgosi added that the provincial government had implemented a Section 139 intervention in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality to improve administration and financial management. The focus of the intervention will be on enhancing revenue collection and to insist on a funded budget, while reducing wasteful expenditure. Premier Lesufi praised President Ramaphosa’s illegal mining intervention, saying the deployment of soldiers had restored stability in affected communities. Soldiers have resolved the problem of illegal mining in Gauteng, and order has been restored, the Premier claimed. Mr Lesufi further credited the President’s intervention in addressing Gauteng’s water challenges, noting that a 26-million-litre water tower in Brixton had recently been opened. The Gauteng premier concluded by wishing the national football team success ahead of upcoming World Cup tournament. KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr Thami Ntuli, focused on local government performance and municipal stability ahead of this year’s local government elections. He said that the province has made measurable progress over the past 22 months, with the number of distressed municipalities declining from seven to two. “Stable municipalities have increased to 21. No municipality is under Section 139 intervention in KwaZulu-Natal compared to four a year ago,” he said. Mr Ntuli added that 37 municipalities had achieved between 75% and 100% of their service delivery and budget implementation targets, while audit outcomes had also improved. Northern Cape Premier, Mr Zamani Saul, said that the country is moving “in the right direction” under President Ramaphosa’s leadership and highlighted interventions aimed at stabilising municipalities. “We intervened decisively in our municipalities, based on our 10-point turnaround plan and we implemented section 139 intervention in Sol Plaatjie Municipality to restore governance and rebuild public confidence,” Premier Saul said. He added that the intervention is directed at restoring municipal stability, strengthening government systems, improving infrastructure maintenance and rebuilding public confidence in municipalities. Premier Saul also pointed to improvements in municipal infrastructure spending through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, saying that in the 2024/25 financial year, municipalities in the province spent 87% of the allocated grant.