Drug-free campaign led by local youngsters
Following an increase in drug use among learners in Germiston, a few local youngsters want the community to join them in their advocacy against substance abuse.
Germiston-born rapper, singer and songwriter Clement Mulenga, known by his stage name Moolanair, is using his role as a social media influencer and musician for a good cause.
With a large social media following and plenty of streams on iTunes and SoundCloud, Moolanair is using his gritty lyrics to change the narrative of drugs being associated with the hip-hop culture.
Upon identifying the excessive use of drugs in local schools, Moolanair and his management team put together the #SayNoToDrugs campaign to combat drug abuse among teenagers.
The brand management team, operating under the name Moolanair, comprises his manager Andrew Mulenga, road manager Simphiwe “God’s Son” Mthethwa and Andrew Nkunika.
The team recently bagged a sponsorship from the metro which has since seen them liaising with social workers and psychologists with whom they tour different schools in an effort to not only entertain learners, but also present them with solutions to drug-related problems.
The #SayNoToDrugs campaign has had a ripple effect since its launch, with the team being approached by a number of schools in Germiston, as well as Jeppe High School for Girls, Nationwide School for Academic Excellence and Kensington Secondary School.
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Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston, Hoërskool Elsburg, Hoërskool Primrose High School and Laerskool Elandia School are among a few Germiston schools where #SayNoToDrugs has made an appearance.
“A lot of schools get in contact with us because they seek a resolution to the drug epidemic growing in their schools.
“Drug dealers unashamedly sell drugs to young children and they even introduce them to the new drugs available on the market,” said Moolanair.
Drugs such as Kat, marijuana and lean (a codeine-based drink mixed with Sprite, also known as sizzurp or purple drink) have been identified by Moolanair as popular drugs in the area.
Through the #SayNoToDrugs campaign, Moolanair aims to raise funds for local rehabilitation centres to which they can direct youth addicted to drugs.
The centres will assist in keeping teens off drugs and sign them up for programmes to help them fight addiction.
“Schools should also instate permanent counsellors so learners can have someone to speak to whenever they need help with peer pressure, depression and drug-related issues,” said Moolanair.
Moolanair and his team are currently operating #SayNoToDrugs independently of their sponsorship from the metro and are desperately in need of funds.
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“Although #SayNoToDrugs is currently a local campaign, we aim to spread it across the country and start touring colleges as well,” said Moolanair.
For enquiries on how to join #SayNoToDrugs contact Moolanair by email info@moolanair.com or contact Andrew on 073 935 6456 or Simphiwe on 072 034 4977.
Follow Moolanair on Instagram @moolanair, Twitter @clementmoola or find them on Facebook, Moolanair.
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