Kwa-Thema – As part of the School Readiness campaign, the MEC of the Health and Wellness Department, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Sivuyile Ngodwana, MMC for Human Settlements, Masele Madihlaba, and the MMC for Community Safety, Health and Social Development and SHRAC, Bridget Thusi visited Zimisele Secondary School on Wednesday morning.
This was the second school in their day’s programme after Nkumbulo Secondary. They also went to Langaville Secondary and Isithelo Esihle ECD.
School Readiness is a nationwide campaign by political leaders to visit schools on the first day of re-opening to monitor some of the challenges faced by schools while ensuring that teaching and learning commence.
During the visit, the group donated school uniforms and dignitary packs to the schools. They also did some gardening.
Nkomo-Ralehoko encouraged learners to focus on their studies and cautioned them against substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and bullying.
“Remember that education is your key to a brighter future. I, myself, old as I am, am still studying because I have seen the power of education to not only open doors for me but to open my way of thinking and looking at the world. Embrace the opportunities before you.
“Resist negative influences and make informed decisions about your health and well-being,” Nkomo-Ralehoko told the learners.
On teenage pregnancy, she said, “The challenge of teenage pregnancy is a societal one and requires a whole-of-society approach. That is why as a government we have committed to partnering with various sectors to address this pandemic effectively.”
She said the statistics on the number of teenagers giving birth at facilities is alarming.
“According to a report by the Department of Basic Education to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in 2021, it was revealed that one in three girls aged between 10 and 19 years in South Africa fall pregnant and do not return to school.
“We have seen children between the ages of 14 and 19 years giving birth at health facilities across the province,” she continued.
“In this current financial year, we have already recorded over 13 700 babies born to teenage mothers. It’s important to make you as learners aware of the factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy,” Nkomo-Ralehoko added.
“I am not alone. Our team of professionals from the departments of health and education are also here today, to provide comprehensive services through the integrated school health programme.
“They will also expose you to health information on sexuality and reproductive health tailored to different educational phases for learners, parents, and the entire school community.
“ I want to encourage you to also visit our clinics before engaging in sexual relationships, to receive information and comprehensive reproductive health advice to empower you to make informed decisions.
“We have adolescent youth health services which are designed to offer counselling to young people when it comes to such matters. Don’t just listen to your friends, seek medical and professional advice so that you are empowered with correct facts.
“We need to have condoms in places of learning as other learners are already sexually active. Some girls get pregnant through rape and having condoms with them won’t guarantee the usage as they might not be in a position to negotiate during such an ordeal.”
The delegation also attended a community stakeholders engagement at the Kwa-Thema Community Hall.
