From football drills with local learners to a friendly match with factory employees, Banyana Banyana’s visit to East London celebrated women’s empowerment, menstrual confidence and the people behind one of South Africa’s well-known sanitary pad brands.
South Africa’s national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, swapped the international spotlight for a more personal celebration in East London, where players joined employees at Kenvue’s local facility for a day of football, connection and community engagement.
The event brought the Stayfree and Banyana Banyana partnership directly to the people responsible for producing the brand’s products, recognising their contribution while highlighting a shared commitment to empowering women and girls.
And what better way to celebrate a partnership with a national football team than with a little friendly competition?
Banyana Banyana Meets the Team Behind Stayfree
A highlight of the visit was a friendly football match between Kenvue employees and members of Banyana Banyana, giving staff an opportunity to share the pitch with some of South Africa’s leading footballers.
Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane, alongside players Antonia Maponya and Gabriela Salgado, attended the celebration.
They were joined by head coach Dr Desiree Ellis and South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao.
The programme also included football drills with learners from Hope Schools and opportunities for employees to interact directly with the players.
For Kenvue, the gathering was about more than a celebrity appearance. It was an opportunity to recognise the employees whose everyday work helps bring Stayfree products to consumers.
“This was about bringing together the people behind Stayfree and the Banyana Banyana partnership in a way that celebrated both contribution and shared purpose. We wanted this partnership to go beyond visibility and create meaningful connections that championed confidence and opportunity for women and girls,” said Astrid Stealey, Kenvue’s Area Managing Director South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Turning Goals into Sanitary Pad Donations
The East London event formed part of a broader partnership between Stayfree and Banyana Banyana, which began in June 2026 when SAFA announced Stayfree as the team’s Official Sanitary Pad Sponsor.
Launched under the #KeepingThemLockedIn campaign, the partnership aims to raise awareness about menstrual confidence and the importance of ensuring that periods do not become a barrier to participation in sport.
One of its key initiatives, Goals 4 Pads, turns achievements on the football field into practical support for communities.
For every goal scored by Banyana Banyana, the initiative unlocks 1,000 packs of sanitary pads for nominated schools, football academies, community organisations and programmes supporting women and girls across South Africa.
It’s a simple concept with a meaningful message: every goal can make a difference beyond the football pitch.
Locally, Hope Schools in KuGompo City has already benefited from the initiative, receiving a donation of Stayfree sanitary pads.
Creating Opportunities for Girls to Thrive
For Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane, the value of the partnership lies in its ability to reach communities where additional support can make a difference.
“Anything that brought change to the communities, I voted for it and I was really grateful that this initiative was more specifically aimed at communities that were disadvantaged, at kids that were disadvantaged,” said Jane.
The partnership highlights an issue that extends beyond football.
Access to menstrual products and education can influence how confidently girls participate in school, sport and everyday activities.
By connecting the visibility of Banyana Banyana with practical donations and community engagement, Stayfree aims to encourage conversations about menstrual health while supporting opportunities for girls to remain active and involved.
A Celebration of the Eastern Cape’s Contribution
While Banyana Banyana’s achievements are celebrated nationally, the East London event also offered an opportunity to recognise the people working behind the scenes at Kenvue’s local facility.
For employees, sharing the pitch with national sporting figures brought the partnership to life in a way that went beyond advertising campaigns and sponsorship announcements.
It was a chance to connect their daily contribution to a wider initiative focused on confidence, opportunity and progress.
And for the learners who participated in the football drills, meeting members of South Africa’s national women’s team offered an opportunity to engage with athletes who represent what is possible through dedication and determination.
Ultimately, the East London celebration was a reminder that partnerships between brands and sporting teams can extend beyond logos and sponsorship agreements.
Sometimes, the most meaningful impact happens when those partnerships reach the people and communities they were created to support.
From the factory floor to the football field, the message was clear: empowering women and girls is a team effort.
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