Boys empowering programme
The purpose of the gathering was to empower the boy child to be aware of the dangers of substance abuse.
Thando Masango, the founder of Kakaramba Foundation, partnered with Nkangala Municipality and other stakeholders to empower boys.
Boys from different schools were invited to attend the programme.
The programme was held on Wednesday, October 18.
Kakaramba Foundation is an organisation aimed at doing anti-drug awareness campaigns in schools to help addicts stop their bad habits and also teach about the dangers of drug usage to pupils.
Masango was addicted to drugs for 16 years. After quitting, he started the Kakarambha Foundation, an organisation that deals with drug awareness, prevention and treatment.
The purpose of the gathering was to empower the boy child to be aware of the dangers of substance abuse, to educate them about GBV, and bullying, reclaim the boy child back and offer preventative programmes to prevent them from committing crimes.
Representing the executive mayor, Clr Nombuso Mokwana said she wants to extend her love and support for such programmes and emphasised that our boys need to be educated and equipped with life skills.
She also added that we need to find ways to develop them and prepare them for the future while still young.
Themba Nkosi of the Drug Action Committee said the organisations need to come together to help service users as they are called nowadays.
He also mentioned the dangers of using drugs and the process to be followed when one needs help and added to say that rehab and life skills plus bursaries are being offered.
Nkosi encouraged community members not to stigmatise service users and to accept them back after going through rehab.
One of the parents related his story of how difficult it is to stay with a person using drugs.
Masango told the children that it is not cool to use drugs.
He pointed out that children must be educated.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that our young people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. We can do this by providing them with a quality education, both in and out of the classroom. As a community, we need to change our mindset and pray for service users and support them so that they conquer because there is no dustbin for children.”
Inkosi Sipho Mahlangu thanked all the stakeholders and explained that they were trying their best to help service users.
“We are not befitting as some people may think. It is because we care and want to support service users. We need to come together as a community and join hands. Law enforcement must come on board together with other organisations to win these ‘battles’. We need to take a stand; illegal nationals selling drugs must be arrested, as we cannot suffer in silence. Job opportunities must be created for our young people. We have about 400 maidens in Phola forming a group, and we need to do the same with young boys. Recreational facilities must be created so that our children can participate in sports. Next year we need to have a bigger and better gathering,” explained Inkosi Mahlangu.
It was also stated that educating the youth is not just about academics.
It is also about helping them develop their social and emotional skills.
This can be done by teaching them how to resolve conflict, how to manage their emotions, and how to build positive relationships. They need to develop a sense of self-worth and confidence.
Other organisations who also attended the event were: Nicro, Khulisa, One Goal Foundation and Sanca.
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