Through collaborative efforts, a successful Women’s Day Celebration in Sports against Substance Abuse event was held at Paterson Park in Norwood.
The Norwood CPF, Norwood SAPS, Sanca Central Rand, LifeLine, Norwood Young Stars Football Club and Fab Fit Fun Health and Fitness Club all came together to host the event on August 9.
Other than soccer and netball being played and an aerobics session, Norwood police Social Crime Prevention’s Sergeant Tshwale welcomed all the representatives of the organisations and asked them to talk to attendees about their roles regarding drug abuse.
Sanca Central Rand Alexandra community development worker Tebogo Somo said she was responsible for outreach, schools talk and community awareness in terms of talking to people about alcohol and drug awareness.
“As we all know, alcohol and drugs are a problem in our communities. Our organisation helps people to change their lifestyle or who want to be in rehab. We do have adult rehab, so we afford people a second chance. Whether we like it or not, things like alcohol are a problem in our communities; we even have learners who take alcohol to the schools,” she said.
“We encourage parents to drink responsibly in the presence of the children because they tend to imitate the behaviour they see at home. At the end of the day, alcohol is addictive so if you are abusing alcohol as a parent you’re teaching children that it’s okay to do so.”
Kgomotso Mahladisa of Norwood LifeLine expressed the love and care for people’s well-being her organisation had for all community members and encouraged them to pay a visit to learn more.
Norwood Young Stars club owner Venita Masisi shared that she also owned a sewing club. She invited anyone interested in sewing or wanted to learn, to come to their office in Nellie Road, Norwood. She said, “At the moment there are no funds, we are doing it for free. We teach you the basics of how to sew.
“We must be self-sustained as women, so when we learn how to do a skill, it can bring in money. So you are welcome to come through from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. We have people that are professional seamstresses and designers as well.”
Mposh Nkalitshana of the Fab Fit Fun Health and Fitness Club commenced with aerobics which was followed by a netball game facilitated by Norwood CPF’s Cebi Ngqinambi and a soccer game later on.
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