Deputy Minister addresses residents

Deputy Minister for Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, has enlightened the Bela-Bela township community that Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is 100% preventable.

The minister said this at a community dialogue held at the Multipurpose Centre on Monday 3 September.

The event was attended by local councillors, NGOs, educators, parents and learners as part of the 9-9-9 Campaign against FAS that is currently under way.

The campaign was so-called 9-9-9 because it runs for nine days on the ninth calendar month in all nine provinces.

The campaign was launched by the department as part of the Drugs Master Plan, on Saturday 1 September.

The initiative’s objective was to create awareness and educate communities about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

This year is considered the launch year of the 9-9-9 Campaign, which going forward will be commemorated annually.

Bela-Bela was identified as the Limpopo provincial host.

The initiative would culminate in a closing event on Sunday 9 September in Gauteng, named the International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day.

— The BEAT