Blog

As South Africa marks another Freedom Day, we do more than commemorate a date on the calendar. We revisit 27 April 1994, when millions stood patiently in long queues to cast a vote that many had been denied for generations. We remember the courage of men and women who carried the moral weight of a nation on their shoulders, people such as Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and Desmond Tutu. We remember those whose names never made it into history books but whose blood watered the tree of democracy. Across race, tribe and nationality, there were those who stood on the right side of history and paid the ultimate price. The question that lingers today, however uncomfortable, is whether the freedom they fought for has translated into a freedom that works for everyone.

In many cultures, the traditional notion of masculinity is deeply rooted in the idea of being the breadwinner, providing for loved ones, and being a pillar of strength. Society expects men to be the financial backbone of their families, and this expectation is often internalized from a young age. However, the reality of unemployment can be a harsh blow to a man’s sense of self-worth, leaving him feeling lost and uncertain about his place in the world.

Professor Visser, Head of Chemistry at the University of the Free State, revealed findings that unsettled what millions of South African women had long accepted without question. After years of research, his team discovered that common menstrual products—sanitary pads and pantyliners—contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Hormone-altering substances. Invisible intruders in items trusted to protect.