DA concerned over Lim’s high teenage pregnancy rate

LIMPOPO – The DA is concerned that teenage pregnancy in Limpopo is spiraling out of control.

This after a newborn baby was found dead by Ga-Ramphele village in Ga-Molepo residents recently.

It is alleged the 16-year-old mother was heavily pregnant, but opted to go drink with her friends at the local shebeen.

“The DA welcomes the quick reaction by the SAPS and the local social workers to assist the girl and expedite their investigations. With 20 000 known learner pregnancies in the country, this is not an isolated incident,” said Jacques Smalle, DA Limpopo leader.

“The lack of social–physiological services and the incapacity to provide counselling to pregnant teenagers increases school drop rate and alcohol abuse and ultimately unemployment,” he added.

Smalle said the DA has drafted the Prevention and Management of Learners Pregnancy Bill, which would be introduced and debated in the National Assembly before the end of this year.

The bill seeks to address:

• The increase of pregnancies among female teenage girls affects the continued education of these female learners as there is no clear and accepted role for schools to play in ensuring these female learners continue their education during and after the pregnancy.

• Since no adequate regulation exists to deal effectively with the prevention and management of learner pregnancies or to provide a uniformed and coordinated approach to the implementation of existing policies.

“The DA calls upon Premier Stanley Mathabatha to support and implement our bill.”