One song, one child, one street at a time
In the heart of Polokwane, Limpopo, something extraordinary happened during Child Protection Week.It wasn’t a march of protest. It wasn’t a moment of silence. It was a celebration of courage, led by the fearless Pastor Rose Papola and her inspiring team.
A group of children from Ward 14 took to the streets, not with placards, but with purpose. With radiant smiles and powerful voices, they sang and danced their way through the community, carrying a message that echoed far beyond the roads they walked: “My Body is My Body.” Every lyric they sang told a story. Every dance step declared their right to be safe, heard, and loved.
What made this moment unforgettable was not just the boldness of the message, but the joy in the children’s eyes. In a world where too many young voices are silenced or ignored, these children stood tall — reminding us all that change starts when we listen, when we care, and when we act. Their song wasn’t just music. It was a call to action. It was a promise of a safer tomorrow.
To Pastor Rose and her amazing team — thank you. Your dedication to uplifting and protecting children is truly inspiring.And to the children — thank you for your strength, your smiles, and your song. You reminded us that your voices are powerful, your stories matter, and your future is worth everything. One song, one child, one street at a time — together, we can build a safer world.
Rose of Sharon Learning Lab
During a recent training session in the North West region, I introduced the My Body Is My Body programme to a group of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors. The response was incredibly heartening. I encouraged them not only to embrace the empowering messages and songs themselves, but also to share these valuable lessons with their children, siblings, and any other young people in their lives. It was inspiring to see how this simple yet powerful programme could ripple outwards, helping more children learn how to stay safe and confident in their own boundaries.— Ambassador Sharon Khoza, Rose of Sharon Learning Lab
Ambassadors making a difference in South Africa
We are incredibly proud of our amazing Rotary International team in South Africa—My Body is My Body Twinning with Girls Empowerment—led by the dynamic Maggie Moruntshi Masechaba Mashao, and strongly supported by District Governor Dr. George Senosha and Past District Governor Annemarie Mostert.
This dedicated group of 92 members is on a mission to bring the My Body Is My Body programme to 120 schools in each area of South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and eSwatini. Thanks to their tireless efforts, they have already reached over 1,000 children, empowering them with our songs and vital messages about body autonomy. Their goal is to reach many thousands more, ensuring that children in these communities grow up with the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves safe. To see the wonderful work being done, check out our inspiring video showcasing how children have been engaging with the programme. It’s heartwarming to witness the impact of these dedicated ambassadors, and we are excited to continue supporting their efforts as they expand this life-changing initiative. Together, we are making a real difference!
From Polokwane to Purpose—
How Meltonia Sethosa Is Bringing MBIMBto Her Community
When we first received Meltonia’s WeTransfer link—without any note attached—we weren’t sure what to expect. But as soon as we hit “play,” it was clear: here was someone whose passion for child safety shone through every frame.
Meet Meltonia Sethosa, based in Polokwane, Limpopo. An aspiring legal practitioner, Meltonia joined the 8‑module MBIMB training earlier this year—and describes it as nothing short of transformative. “The Safeguarding module stood out for me,” she says.
“In my future career, I’ll need to help victims understand how to respond to abuse, how to document incidents, who to report to, and the language to use. This training refined my understanding and gave me the confidence to communicate these issues compassionately and clearly.
Armed with her new knowledge, Meltonia stepped into local classrooms—and discovered just how eager children are to learn these vital lessons. Singing MBIMB songs, naming body parts, and role‑playing “safe versus unsafe” scenarios became moments of shared joy. Their laughter and energy reminded her why this work matters.“Teaching is a two‑way street,” she reflects.
“I learned as much from them as they learned from me.” Equally touching was the response from parents: every family represented gave enthusiastic consent for Meltonia’s teaching videos to be published and shared. Their trust speaks volumes about how MBIMB can inspire entire communities to prioritise safety, respect, and open dialogue. But Meltonia isn’t stopping there. Her plan for the coming months is to bring MBIMB into Early Childhood Development centres and local schools across Limpopo, ensuring even the youngest learners benefit from our music‑based, age‑appropriate approach. “Thank you to everyone at MBIMB for creating a platform where growth and connection can happen,” she wrote.“I feel equipped, supported, and excited to help shape safer futures for children in my community.”
Armed with her new knowledge, Meltonia stepped into local classrooms—and discovered just how eager children are to learn these vital lessons. Singing MBIMB songs, naming body parts, and role‑playing “safe versus unsafe” scenarios became moments of shared joy. Their laughter and energy reminded her why this work matters.
Empowering Children, Protecting Futures:
In the sun-drenched hills of Mbuzini, Mpumalanga, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one filled with song, hope, and unstoppable purpose. Recently, Shayindlovu Primary School became the latest stop on a life-changing journey led by the incredible Maggie Moruntshi, our dynamic Girls Empowerment Leader and MBIMB Ambassador in South Africa.
With boundless enthusiasm and a voice that lifts every room she enters, Maggie has taken the My Body Is My Body Programme to heart—and into the hearts of children across the region. Through her leadership, we are witnessing something extraordinary: 94 passionate team members, 120 schools reached, and over 10,000 children empowered with essential body safety education.
Together, Rotary and MBIMB are creating safe spaces where girls and boys learn to use their voices, understand their rights, and build confidence that lasts a lifetime. These children are discovering thattheir bodies belong to them—and that no one has the right to hurt them or silence their truth.
Maggie’s visit to Shayindlovu was more than just a presentation. It was a celebration. Through music, storytelling, and joyful participation, children learned how to speak up, seek help, and support one another. The room pulsed with laughter, learning, and light—and as always, Maggie left behind not just knowledge, but courage.
Our Girls Empowerment Twinning with MBIMB initiative represents the very heart of what Rotary stands for: service above self, and action that uplifts entire communities. We are not only reaching children—we are educating parents, teachers, and local leaders to recognise signs of abuse and build safer, more nurturing environments.
This coming year, we are dreaming even bigger. Our goal is to reach 150 schools—and with the momentum we’ve built, we know we’ll get there. Each school we visit becomes a beacon of change. Each child we reach becomes a ripple in a wave of empowerment.These are exciting times. Through collaboration, compassion, and unwavering commitment, we are changing the story for thousands of children in Southern Africa.
To every Rotarian, educator, parent, and child who has joined us on this journey—thank you. The future is brighter because of you. And to Maggie and her remarkable team—your energy lights the way.Together, we can. Together, we will. Let’s continue building a world where every child feels safe, valued, and heard.
