21 June 2007
National Minister for Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is set to visit
Kimberley next week in order to be part of the second National Youth Indaba,
which is to be hosted by the Northern Cape Department of Health. The Indaba
stems from the initiative of the national minister herself and was hosted in
Nelspruit, Mmpumalanga last year. This year, a total of 500 youthful delegates
between the ages of 15�24 years from all nine provinces are expected to attend
the Indaba which will kick off on Monday, 25 June at the Christian Revival
Church. The aim of the Indaba for which this year's theme is, "Deepening youth
participation through development through service," is to address issues that
affect young people in our country.
Furthermore, the focus for this year will be on counselling, care and
support, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and youth referral centres.
Other areas that will also be given attention include issues around HIV/AIDS,
drug rehabilitation programmes and teenage pregnancies. The Indaba will also
see the development and reviewing of policies and guidelines on youth health
programmes. The weeklong programme affords other departments the opportunity to
get involved and incorporates amongst other things, visits to various heritage
sites, as well as an expanded immunisation programme whereby the youth will go
out into the field and mobilise community members to have their children
vaccinated.
Displays will also be set up and the military are to actively recruit young
people to sign up. A build up programme to the Youth Indaba has been taking
place during the past week and mobilisation and information sessions were
scheduled for Roodepan, Greenpoint, Phutanang and Leratong Park. On Thursday,
21 June, indigenous games were further organised for the youth at Platfontein.
Schools and taxi ranks have also been visited and on Sunday, at least 17
churches will afford the department 15 minute slots during which health issues
will be addressed.
For more information, contact:
Shelley Fielding
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
21 June 2007
