The Banakekele Project – taking care of those in need

For most people living in the townships of South Africa, life is often managed on a tight budget, without proper access to healthcare. Awareness around incontinence is low, yet it still affects a significant portion of the population. In 2018, TENA embarked on a mission to help people throughout the suburban townships of Johannesburg with incontinence care and education. We call it the Banakekele Project, a Zulu expression that means “to take care of them”.

TENA team in Banakekele

Becoming a part of the community

The TENA team is proud to contribute to the tradition of Ubuntu—a South African concept on interconnectedness and compassion—and to become a part of the township communities by providing basic healthcare services in mobile pop-up clinics. These clinics offer basic and affordable care for those in need. Services offered include measuring body mass index, blood pressure, glucose levels, HIV, and other basic tests. At the same time, TENA presented a new incontinence product, as effective as those already existing in the market, but 50% more affordable.

A caregiver demonstrates how to use different incontinence products from TENA.

Local caregivers see the difference

“The [TENA] product is easy to use and has created more time for me to do other things, instead of worrying about changing the diaper.” says Nomusa, a South African caregiver. Phindile, another caregiver, notes that “the quality of the product is of better quality, lasts longer, and saves money [compared to the alternatives].”

A view of the streets of Johannesburg bustling with people.

Educating the communities about incontinence

Same as anywhere else in the world, knowledge about incontinence is low and stigma around it is high. Therefore, educating the communities about incontinence is one of the main goals for the professional TENA nurses of the Banakekele Project.

Improving the well-being of South African communities

Aligning with the sustainability goal of TENA to improve the well-being of 100 million people by 2030, the Banakekele Project has reached more than 16 000 people across 100 communities, laying down deep roots among the inhabitants of South Africa’s townships.

This is TENA

TENA is a brand of Essity, a leading global hygiene and health company. With over 60 years of experience TENA is the No 1 adult incontinence brand globally*. We offer a full range of absorbent products, skincare and digital health technology solutions that are tailored to the needs of individuals, their families and healthcare professionals.

With TENA, Essity is at the forefront of developing products and services that help improve dignity and the quality of people’s lives. We strive for sustainable continence care with better care and better products.

*Euromonitor International Limited; Retail Adult Incontinence, all channels, RSP value sales, Tissue & Hygiene, 2023 ed

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TENA, a brand of Essity - a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2023, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 147bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.