Siv Ngesi Launches Sanitary Pad Factory to Support Menstrual Health in Underserved Communities
Well-known actor and television personality Siv Ngesi has stepped into a new role, one that aims to address a long-standing issue facing many South African communities — access to affordable sanitary products.
Driven by a desire to bring dignity to those who often go without, Ngesi has opened a factory dedicated to the production of sanitary pads, with a focus on making them widely available in impoverished areas.
The initiative is more than just a business venture. For Ngesi, it is a mission rooted in social impact. He says the idea came from seeing first-hand how many young girls and women are forced to miss school or work simply because they cannot afford basic menstrual products.
By opening this facility, he hopes to break the cycle of silence and shame around menstruation and give more people the tools to manage their periods with confidence. The factory, now fully operational, is expected to produce close to 200,000 sanitary pads per day once it reaches full capacity.
Ngesi says this high volume is essential to meet the widespread demand, especially in communities where access to menstrual hygiene products remains a daily struggle. He believes that by making pads locally and affordably, they can be distributed more efficiently to the people who need them most.
'This is not just about making a product,' Ngesi said. 'It is about restoring dignity, changing lives, and making sure no one has to feel ashamed for something as natural as a period. Too many young girls are missing school, and women are losing out on opportunities because of something that should be easily manageable.'
In addition to manufacturing pads, the initiative also includes a broader campaign to educate communities about menstrual health. Ngesi and his team are working with local organisations, schools, and health professionals to create awareness and encourage open conversations around menstruation.
By doing so, they hope to break long-held stigmas that continue to isolate those who menstruate. The project has already begun creating jobs, with local women hired to work in the factory and participate in community outreach efforts. Ngesi says empowering women at every stage of the process is a key part of his vision.
Public health advocates have praised the move, calling it a significant step toward improving menstrual equity in South Africa. They say access to menstrual products is not just a hygiene issue, but a human rights one, affecting education, employment, and overall well-being.
Ngesi's efforts are part of a growing movement calling for menstrual health to be treated as a public priority. As his factory ramps up production and his awareness campaigns gain traction, he hopes to inspire others to take action in their own communities.
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