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Mbombela - Schoolgirls from rural Schoemansdal in Mpumalanga have been warned against spending their December holidays engaging in "regrettable sexual activities".
Speaker of the Mpumalanga legislature, Thandi Shongwe, made the appeal while visiting Lugebhuta Secondary School, south of Malalane.
"I am warning you girls to focus on your studies right now and avoid being sexually active at an early age. I would especially caution you to watch yourselves this festive season and not become targets of people who don't care much about your future," she said.
Shongwe also warned the girls that while they write exams they should stay away from social media, unless they use such platforms to get assistance with their studies.
"As your mother, I am requesting you to study hard and please suspend all social activities that will distract you from concentrating on your studies. I am also appealing to the parents to give children time to study," she said.
Shongwe also gave the pupils "dignity packs", which included sanitary towels, body lotion, deodorants and toothpaste.
Grade 12 pupil Makhosazane Sifunda said she would heed Shongwe's advice.
"It feels so good when a mother who was born in the area comes back home to plough back to the community that raised her and the school that equipped her with knowledge. It means a lot to us because some of us couldn't afford to buy these dignity packs," said Sifunda.
School principal Bright Mdaka appreciated Shongwe's continued support for the school.
"We are very thankful for the donation. Our girls will never skip classes because of their monthly periods. The donation will go a long way in improving their self-esteem and restoring their dignity," he said.
