Dear Dr Aaron Motsoaledi

It is clear that the motivation to develop the Max Condoms were as a result of a decline in the use of the condoms, especially amongst the youth. I can also see that this Max condom has been in the talks since 2012 when the data got the Department of Health frightened on the possibility of the HIV/AIDS rate increasing again. However, I am very concerned about this announcement that took the country by storm. It worries me that your department is failing to address a pressing issue at hand: Providing free sanitary towels to poverty-stricken women across the country.

You see, Mr Minister, removing the VAT on these sanitary towels is not enough. Just like food and water is a primary need, so are sanitary towels to women. Yes, the 51,7% of the population that YOU serve. If it is women who are the majority sex in YOUR country, why is it that you are refusing to put some action into your empty promises?

Unfortunately, the Department of Women in the Presidency will not be able to realize their vision of offering free sanitary towels to young girls across the country, if they do not get your buy-in, Sir. Your budget is more that sufficient to offer such towels to those who need it, if you merely allocate your funds better.

For too long, young girls have been shamed for something natural that is absolutely out of their control.

For too long, young girls have been missing valuable days in school, because they do not have the needed protection to get them through the day at school.

For too long, young girls have even resulted in dropping out of school, due to having a lack of insight and resources about their own bodies.

And for too long… Your department has not made this ’embarrassing’ and ‘shameful’ process any easier.

So how about you change the narrative, Sir? How about you put your young girls first and offer them free sanitary towels? Because the thing is, once you offer this basic necessity to them, the will feel empowered, confident and ready to take charge of their own bodies. In the long run, the dropout rate of schoolgirls will decrease substantially, and guess what? They would also be given the confidence to take up spaces like yours, Mr Minister, and address several other issues that women face in this country.

I plead you to inform your Deputy President that he should start getting excited about introducing FREE sanitary towels that offer Maximum Pleasure and Maximum Protection to the Women of South Africa.

How about that, Mr Minister?

Sincerely,

A Concerned South African Womyn