St Agnes seminars in full swing

ST Agnes Anglican Church in Kloof will shine the spotlight on autsim, depression and gender-based violence. Aimed at educating the community about these challenges, the series will be conducted by Dr Lindiwe Xaba, a medical doctor from the KZN Department of Health.

Reverend Sizwe Ngcobo from St Agnes Church said for over 20 years, they have been involved with social transformational missions to improve people’s lives, particularly the disadvantaged in areas such as Lower Molweni.

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While April’s seminar commenced on April 5 and focused on autism, in May and June they will focus on depression and gender based violence. Each of the remaining seminars will commence between 18:30 to 19:30.

According to Revd Ngcobo the aim of the seminars are to contribute in building a sense of community as well as ensuring positive well-being and quality of life within the community. They are geared towards empowering the community by engaging with interrelated issues and people’s present conditions of struggle.

The next seminar, based on depression, will commence on May 3. “Depression and anxiety disorders are known to be contributing factors to substance addiction and suicide. Depression has a significant impact on family members, family finances, social relationships, productivity at work, and the local economy,” Revd Ngcobo said.

Victim-turned activist and author of ‘The Love Diary of a Zulu Boy’, Bhekisisa Mncube will host the final seminar based on gender based violence, which is scheduled for June 7. “Gender based violence is one of the most serious dangers to our country’s long-term peace and development. Many people are concerned about violence against women and children, but people should go beyond concern and strive for the fortitude and moral integrity required to end the silence and prevent gender based violence from occurring again. If individuals and communities fail to look more closely at the socio-political structures, cultures, systems, and institutions that continue to produce and reproduce violence, including gender based violence, in society, the fabric of our society will stay shattered,” Revd Ngcobo said.

Revd Ngcobo encourages community members to attend the seminars. “This seminar will be a platform of engagement with experts in the field. It will be a space that allows people in Kloof and surrounding communities to come alongside each other in their struggles and share in their hopes,” he said. C contact St Agnes Church secretary, Lyle Rodel on 031 764 2037 or lyle@stagnes.org.za

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