DP World and Upcycle Foundation implement skills development opportunities.

DP World and Upcycle Foundation implement skills development opportunities as part of a joint commitment to empower women through sustainability and recycling initiatives.

The ongoing partnership has produced 2400 reusable sanitary products for 600 female learners in Johannesburg, South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 27 March 2025: DP World, a global end-to-end logistics provider, in partnership with Upcycle Foundation, has delivered 2400 reusable sanitary pads to young women in Thokoza, eKurhuleni, in the aid of menstrual hygiene during International Women’s Month.

Since 2023, DP World and Upcycle Foundation have implemented skills development opportunities as part of a joint commitment to empower women through sustainability and recycling initiatives. For example, last year DP World funded an intensive 8-week sewing course for 20 local women, who learnt to create beanbags and mattress covers from repurposed materials. These items were then donated respectively to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and elderly care centres, while creating a sustainable income for the seamstresses and their families.

As a continuation of the partnership, the group was most recently tasked with upcycling misprinted corporate materials, transforming them into reusable sanitary pads. Period poverty is a major barrier to education in South Africa, as 30% of girls stay home from school each month due to a lack of access to basic sanitary products.

Esha Mansingh, Head: Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Sub-Saharan Africa

Esha Mansingh, Head: Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Sub-Saharan Africa, DP World, said: “In line with our commitment to support women and education, our partnership with Upcycle Foundation has delivered tangible impact. This particular initiative has changed the lives of 600 girls for the better, and we hope that by staying in school, they will have a brighter future. At the same time, the project has created meaningful income for talented seamstresses.”

The project produced 600 sanitary packages, including four reusable pads and a waterproof bag for each young woman, all of which were delivered to the learners of Landulwazi Comprehensive School by DP World volunteers. Through partnership with the Actively Educating Foundation, two actors performed an informative play to educate the schoolgirls about menstrual hygiene.

Sibongile Vilakazi, Founding Director of Upcycle Foundation NPC

Sibongile Vilakazi, Founding Director of Upcycle Foundation NPC, commented: “Upcycle Foundation specialises in education and training of communities on the potential of transforming waste into opportunity through recycling and upcycling to generate a sustainable income. Upcycle Foundation and the seamstresses trained with DP World’s funding were very excited to be involved in this initiative, giving us all an opportunity to support education and keep girls in school.”

Amanda Khumalo, a seamstress at Upcycle Foundation

Amanda Khumalo, a seamstress, adds: “I never imagined that I would one day be able to sew pads, and my training has made it easy for me to help contribute to this cause in a meaningful way. Now, I plan to continue using my new-found skills to give back to communities by making and donating pads to schoolgirls who struggle to afford them.”

DP World remains committed to supporting initiatives helping to end poverty and address social challenges, including those impacting women, as part of its mandate to positively contribute to economies and ensure that the business leaves a lasting impact on communities in which It operates.