RUN FOR A PURPOSE

Fibre Network Operator (FNO) Net Nine Nine and reigning Miss Mpumalanga 2026, Masibulele Mndebele, joined forces for a purpose last week, working together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young girls in Bethal on 28 and 29 August 2026.

Mndebele invited the Net Nine Nine CSI team to support her inaugural “Run For A Purpose” charity initiative in the farming town of Mpumalanga.

The campaign is focused on tackling period poverty by ensuring that young girls have access to essential menstrual hygiene products.

The initiative provided beneficiaries with a year’s supply of sanitary towels – 12 boxes per recipient – helping to remove one of the barriers that can affect girls’ ability to attend school with confidence and dignity.

The social relief campaign got off to a strong start with the donation of 300 Ntombazane sanitary pads to Grade 6 and 7 learners at Sakhisizwe Primary School.

The donation ensured that the young learners had access to an essential product that many girls and families struggle to afford, particularly in communities where household finances are already under pressure.

The initiative was aimed not only at providing immediate relief, but also at highlighting the broader impact of period poverty on education, confidence, dignity and the overall well-being of young women.

The second part of the campaign saw participants taking part in a 4.9km charity run, with an entrance fee of R50.

Rather than simply being a sporting event, the run was designed to turn every entry into a contribution towards the fight against period poverty, with funds raised through participation going towards the purchase of sanitary towels for young girls.

The event brought together community members and supporters behind a common cause – helping ensure that menstruation does not become a reason for a girl to miss school.

Net Nine Nine further strengthened the fundraising drive by donating an additional 100 boxes of Ntombazane sanitary pads in support of the initiative.

The contribution formed part of the company’s broader commitment to supporting communities and helping create opportunities for young South Africans.

For Mndebele, the partnership was particularly meaningful as she continues to use her platform as Miss Mpumalanga 2026 to advocate for the well-being and education of the girl child.

She expressed her gratitude to Net Nine Nine for believing in her vision and supporting her initiative to help keep girls in school.

“Your support towards the ‘Run for a Purpose’ movement against period poverty has allowed us to turn a vision into a meaningful reality,” she said.

Mndebele said the initiative was close to her heart because of the direct impact period poverty can have on a young girl’s education and confidence.

“As Miss Mpumalanga 2026, it is deeply fulfilling to use my platform to address an issue that directly affects the education, confidence, dignity and well-being of the girl child,” she said.

“I believe that no girl should have to miss school or feel stressed because she does not have access to sanitary pads.”

She added that the support received through the campaign would help girls face the coming months with greater confidence, knowing they have access to menstrual hygiene products.

“Because of your support, I believe that the girls we reached will be able to face the upcoming months with less stress and greater confidence, knowing that they have access to menstrual hygiene products.

“Your partnership has helped us take another step towards a future where period poverty does not stand between a girl and her education.”

Net Nine Nine Head of Marketing, Richard Genlloud, welcomed Mndebele’s words of appreciation and said the company was proud to support an initiative that seeks to create better opportunities for young South Africans.

He said Net Nine Nine remains committed to helping ensure that South Africans have access to opportunities, while supporting initiatives that enable schoolgirls to pursue quality education without unnecessary barriers.

“We hope that our small contribution towards your event made a big impact on the lives of the young ladies,” said Genlloud.

“We wish you the best of luck with this project and all the others you are involved with. It’s people like you that make South Africa the country that we know and love.

“Never stop trying to make the world a better place. Your impact is greater than you know. You inspire us to try harder, do better and make a bigger difference.”

Thank you for your kind words. and for inviting us to be a part of this powerful and important initiative. Net Nine Nine pride’s itself on ensuring that all South African’s have access to opportunity, and ensuring that school girls are able to access a quality education is key to their success later in life. We hope that our small contribution to your event has a big impact on the lives of the young ladies.

We wish you the best of luck with this project and all the others you are involved with, Its people like you that make South Africa the country that we know and love, never stop trying to make the world a better place your impact is greater than you know.

You inspire us to try harder, do better and make a bigger differnence.

Warm regards Net Nine Nine.