The Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will on Thursday April 21, host an Imbizo in Peddie – Eastern Cape Province to address identified teenage pregnancy challenges. Peddie is a rural area located in Ngqushwa Local Municipality which is part of the Amathole District Municipality.
During recent community dialogues between residents of Peddie and a Social Development team of social workers; community members voiced their concerns about high levels of teenage pregnancy in the area.
It is estimated that girls between ages of 13 and 19 years in the area fall pregnant. According to the dialogues report the young girls also turned to abuse alcohol and as a result they often indulge in unprotected sexual activities.
It is alleged that because they are not ready to be parents they often leave their children with grandparents while they misuse the Child Support Grant.
Other issues raised during community dialogues include amongst others high levels of crime and unemployment, lack of water and scholar transport for children.
The community Imbizo is part of Project Mikondzo – a Social Development initiative which seeks to introduce innovative ways of addressing community challenges in a more integrated and effective manner.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Imbizo arranged as follows:
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2016
Time: 12h00
Venue: Ward 10, Peddie Extension Stadium, Ngqushwa Local Municipality - Eastern Cape Province
RSVPs: Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111 / jaconiak@dsd.gov.za Justice Ditshego - 079 4977 426 / justiced@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
