Richard Mabaso has never doubted himself or his capabilities of speaking for the voiceless. His journey started in a small village located in Mpumalanga called Luphisi.
Growing up with eight siblings and a single mother was not very easy for Mabaso. He was taught at an early age to work hard for what he believed in and to see value within everything that he touched and saw. Despite the lack of financial resources at a young age, Mabaso would find escape from reality through school as it offered him a platform to fully explore his passion of nature, understanding the human body and population sampling.
A discussion between Mabaso’s mother and niece led him to think about his role in society. He overheard the two talking about the menstrual cycle which in some cultures is considered to be taboo when discussing around men but at the time, he was intrigued and willing to hear more. What he gained from the discussion broadened his mind on a new social issue, period poverty. After his studies and revelation, he knew that he had to make a difference by changing how society viewed certain social issues by creating Imbumba Foundation.
Mabaso said, “It was on that day that I became more inquisitive and attentive to the issue of ignorance around the menstrual cycle. I would constantly ask myself, what am I doing to stop the stereotype and stigma on periods and that is how the foundation came into existence.”
Mabaso, who now resides in Sandton, is focused on bridging the gap of period poverty in South Africa with the help of his business partners Duncan Burman, Sello Hatang, Fikile Kuhlase, Peggie Nkonyeni, Jasper Zwane and Stefefn Schneier who have all contributed to the organisation in various significant ways.
“Men need more education and it can’t be a once-off thing, it needs to be ongoing. We work toward making sure that no other girl should go through what others without resources went through. At the very least, we all should be fighting against period poverty,” concluded Mabaso.
