Lesego and Joseph Mpyana are the force behind Move Africa and Red Movement, and now, in the fight for menstrual equality, they have launched the Flourish Period Care menstrual cup.
To be in the presence of Lesego and Joseph Mpyana is to feel inspired. Warm, open and completely committed to the work that they do, the couple have been making positive change since they first started Move Africa four years ago.
When Lesego had recently graduated from university, she worked with an NPO called Teach SA for two years. She noticed that girls were often absent from school during their period, and the realisation that ‘period poverty’ had such an impact on her students motivated her, together with Joseph, to start Move Africa. After extensive research, the organisation developed reusable menstrual cups, which eliminated the need for expensive sanitary items each month. “Because a menstrual product is still taboo in many communities, there had to be a very strong element of education,” Joseph explains. “Lesego came with me to the schools to teach the girls how to use it, and it worked. The reality is that when you don’t have options, you’ll try anything. And when you get it right, you’ll have 10 years of your best period!”
When Lesego began teaching girls how to use the cup, she soon realised that there was so much they didn’t know about their bodies. And so, education became a big part of what the organisation offered. Over time, with the help of gynaecologists and pelvic health specialists, they developed a menstrual health workshop. “It has been so well-received by the girls,” says Joseph. “It feels like our impact has really stretched because period poverty isn’t just about a lack of products, it’s also about a lack of education and the taboo surrounding menstruation.”
More and more, people began to take note of Move Africa’s work, wanting to get involved and learn more, so the couple launched Red Movement, a platform where people could show their support for the cause by pledging cups for distribution. Soon after that, Clarins South Africa came on board, partnering with Red Movement, and the campaign grew beyond Joseph and Lesego’s expectations. “Getting a DM from Clarins was a really big moment for me,” says Lesego. “We had been dreaming about having a partner that was passionate about women that would fully support us, and then they came to us!”
Now, the latest offering from the Mpyanas is the Flourish Period Care menstrual cup. “Women kept asking where they could find a cup for themselves,” says Lesego. So, the couple set to work on developing a good quality, affordable cup that anyone could use. They’re currently working on getting the cup into retail spaces around the country.
“A cup doesn’t just address period poverty,” explains Joseph. “It also addresses environmental impact because pads and tampons often end up in our oceans and landfills.”
The couple are planning to launch Red Movement globally, and are working hard on establishing Flourish as a lifestyle brand, so that the cup can be widely available – anywhere from doctors’ rooms to small businesses. “I’m excited for what’s next!” says Lesego.
Details: www.flourishcare.co, www.moveafricaco.com
