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designed by educational experts to encourage creativity, curiosity and support literacy development in a fun way. It includes a 24-page Girltivity Activity Book showcasing a unique story with five to 10 hands-on STEAMED UP activities,” explains Romona. The STEAMED UP acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Design, Understanding and Practice. The boxes also include a creative play prop, a featured character trait that helps her to succeed, practical tips for parents to easily nurture that trait, experiments, games and collectables. Entrepreneurship runs deep in the Mahadeo family. Mom was born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal and studied through the University of South Africa and the then Natal Technikon. “I started my BComm degree at 18 and opened my first business at 21. Our business grew and now my husband and I run a management company in uMhlanga focusing on accounting,
Girls just want to have
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MEET A FEARLESS MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM WHO WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO HELP YOUNG GIRLS LEARN, EXPLORE AND BETTER THEMSELVES, WRITES SHIRLEY LE GUERN
taxation and business systems,” she says. The launch of Girltivity in October 2019 was inspired by Kiara who conceptualised the Girltivity box. Romona – who explains that her daughter loves making boxes for family and friends and believes that pretty boxes filled with exciting goodies makes people happy – says that the whole idea started when the then five-year-old Kiara asked her mother to tell her about the first South African female in space.
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unique mother and daughter entrepreneur partnership has created Girltivity, a company that creates activity boxes that entertain little girls while also educating them in critical subjects including mathematics, science, engineering and technology. According to managing director of the uMhlanga based company, Romona Mahadeo, everything that’s needed to delight and inspire young girls between the ages of three and 12 arrives once a month, personally addressed to each young recipient. “Each Girltivity Box is thoughtfully
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