Yesterday, the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini called on the Mitchell’s Plain community and leaders to take community action against the scourge of substance, particularly among young people in the area.
Visiting Mitchell’s Plain in the Western Cape, Minister Dlamini told community members and leaders that the fight against alcohol and substance abuse demands coordinated effort from all sectors of the community.
The visit to Mitchell’s Plain is part of the government’s anti-substance abuse campaign that the Minister has initiated since her appointment. Empowering parents, community leaders and local organisations to take collection action on building safer communities as well as being active in their communities is a key part of this campaign.
As part of the campaign, the Minister visited several households affected by substance and met with local organisations render services in the area.
Minister Dlamini was particularly concerned about the high level of substance abuse among young people in the area, saying the community must work together with law enforcement authorities so that drug lords and drug traffickers can be identified and prosecuted.
“The drug lords who destroy the future of young people by swelling drugs and using them as drug peddlers live within this community. We know who they are and where they live. Drug lords target vulnerable young people to further their illegal activities. We must therefore work with community policing forums and law enforcement authorities so they can face prosecution for these crimes, said Minister Dlamini.
Minister Dlamini also reminded parents that it is their primary responsibility to teach young people about the dangers of substance abuse and to prevent more young people from becoming victims of substance abuse.
"This is not just the responsibility of governments. Alcohol and substance abuse shames us all and we have a shared responsibility to act, that is why we are calling on parents and communities people to work with us on this campaign.
Families and communities must be in the forefront of our government’s goal to build drug-free and safer communities, she said.
As part of her community outreach programme in the Western Cape province, Minister Dlamini will tomorrow, 2 May 2011, will visit and make donation to Sinothando Educare Centre at 8h30 in the morning. The centre provides services to vulnerable children in Khayelitsha and surrounding areas.
The centre is run by Ms Violet Ntshona with the assistance of community volunteers. Currently the centre caters for 14 children from ages 0-10 years and is in desperate need of financial and material assistance.
The Minister visited the centre on Thursday and was deeply touched when she saw the conditions under which the children live. The small donation will allow the centre to meet the children’s basic needs in the short term while a long term plan for the centre will be developed.
From the centre, the Minister will address local communities on government’s Integrated Community Registration and Outreach Programme (ICROP) at OR Tambo Hall (Khayelitsha). The focus of the programme will be on bringing government services closer to people and the extension of the Child Support Grants to eligible children under the age of 18 years.
Various government departments and entities including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Home Affairs, South African Police Service (SAPS), Health and community based organisations will render services to members of the community.
The details are as follows:
Date: 2 May 2011
Time: 10h00
Venue: OR Tambo Hall, Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover both events.
Requests for interviews and media enquiries:
Abram Phahlamohlaka
Cell: 082 928 6590
Shivani Wahab
Cell: 083 324 6710
Source: Department of Social Development
