Mpumalanga Scouts advocate against the youth smoking
The Stop Smoking Campaign aims to teach the youth about the harmful effects of smoking on their bodies and finances.
The Mpumalanga Scouts launched their 12-month Stop Smoking Campaign over the weekend, with 116 members and stakeholders present. The regional commissioner in the province, Manqoba Dlamini, said they are seeing a lot of the youth taking up smoking from a very young age. The project, launched at the Scouts Centre, aims to educate youngsters on the harmful effects of smoking, not only on their bodies, but financially as well.
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“We are strategically positioned as an influential and internationally recognised youth organisation in Mpumalanga, to be a facilitator for change in the lives of the youth of the province. With this campaign, the region is aiming to provide a systematic approach and targeted platform on which Mpumalanga youth can engage and become change agents to achieve the goals of the Stop Smoking Campaign in our communities.
“Present among the stakeholders and members were the chief scout of Scouts South Africa, Khonzaphi Mdaka, Sanca, as well as sponsors of the project, including FNB. Members of the scouts consist of youth members (aged five to 17), rovers (18 to 30), as well as adult volunteers who plan and implement the programmes (like this one) and activities that help build resilient and skilled youth.”
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At the launch, educational talks were given and youngsters also took part in performances relating to the cause. “1st Stintile Scouts and 1st Phumlani Scouts portrayed their understanding of smoking through music and drama. This showed that the scouters’ efforts are not in vain,” the organisation said following the day’s performances.
The remainder of the project will entail roadshows and visibility around communities to create awareness around the issue of smoking. The chief scout reminded attendees of the launch that members of the movement joined so they could be sent into communities to make a difference in other people’s lives, and that is exactly what this aims to do.
Dlamini said the Mpumalanga Scouts have partnered with the German Umckaloabo Foundation on the Stop Smoking Campaign. “The foundation is our sponsor for this campaign and have also sponsored us in many other initiatives, including those against gender-based violence. We are grateful for the support and partnership with Umckaloabo Foundation.”
To join the scouts on their initiatives, contact the regional office on 076 411 8756, or sharon.mkhonto@scouts.org.za (and cc manqoba.dlamini@scouts.org.za).
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