Marang, which means sun rays, is about instilling and celebrating the spirit of excellence and hard work in young ladies. This initiative aims to teach young ladies that nothing great or sustainable is ever achieved from taking short cuts. This is especially important at this day and age where the ‘sugar daddy frenzy’ and quick-fix mentality have blinded young women.

Part of the launch programme saw keynote speakers including Lerato Molete – the owner of Black Cherrie Management and founder of Marang In Action; Sheila Bhengu – the head of Marketing at iBurst; Toinette Meiring – an entrepreneur and Gugu Sibiya who is a seasoned journalist.

Among some of the discussions held was the significance of self where the speaker delved into topics of self-love, self-belief and finding inspiration. The importance of education, Ubuntu and self-preservation also played a key role in the day’s addresses.

Each girl walked away inspired and with a goody bag comprising a three-month supply of Always sanitary pads, body lotion, roll-on, soap, SA Careers magazine and a back pack which they can use at school.

And it does not end there. Marang in Action will be holding continuous two-hour Saturday workshops across the country in townships and rural areas such as Hammanskraal, Polokwane/Moletjie, Rustenburg, Mafikeng, Taung, Witbank as well as Diepsloot.

Black Cherrie also has plans to provide the following for young ladies who join the nationwide initiative:

- Regional Camps where the young ladies are taught the art of goal-setting and achieving and are introduced to different career options. Expert speakers across a variety of industries have been consulted and will be participating. During these fully sponsored camps, they will also involve health professionals who will educate young ladies about the importance of hygiene and basic lady care – including pap smears. Basic self-defence classes will also be held;
- An interactive national conference in which they discuss the issues faced by today’s young ladies;
- The awarding of an educational, performance-based bursary to the Top Achiever of 2014;
- International Women’s Day celebrations in March;
- Women’s Day celebrations in August;
- Matric Dance outfit competition with local designers;
- On-going career guidance engagement; and
- Continuing motivational sessions and goal tracking.

For more information, visit www.blackcherrie.co.za.