Today’s kids struggle against drugs and drink
YOUTH from the Sekhukhune area of Limpopo have declared their struggle against drug abuse by handing over a petition containing more than 1 000 signatures to provincial leadership during the Youth Day commemoration event yesterday.
Hundreds of young people gathered at Riba Cross Village near Burgersfort after staging a walk in commemoration of the 1976 student uprisings against being taught in Afrikaans.
Jeffrey Mashoeu, secretary of the Greater Tubatse Municipal Youth Council, said young people in the area were troubled by alcohol and drug abuse.
“My observation is that alcohol is destroying the future of the youth. We have learnt from the role played by the youth of 1976. Now, as the class of 2016, we want to make education fashionable. We don’t want to end up with a drunk society,” Mashoeu said.
He said the petition was to show that the youth were in support of all government initiatives against substance abuse.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the provincial government, education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe assured them that they would continue to implement programmes in support of the youth.
Kgetjepe said it was important to note that the youth today were faced with different challenges to those experienced by young people back then.
Bongani Maphanga, who arrived at the event in grey school shorts, said substance abuse was a growing concern in the area.
Community member Maphanga, who works with a local nonprofit organisation, said drugs such as nyaope were easily accessible, especially in the Burgersfort CBD.
He said commemorating the day was important because it reminds young people to value education.
Lesego Mogotlane came from Zebediela with members of her theatre group.
Mogotlane said the lack of opportunities and resources in her area contributed to substance abuse.
“Even kids as young as 13 years are experimenting with drugs like wonga. It’s a big problem,” she said.
Premier Stan Mathabatha urged young people to grab available business opportunities and help end poverty in their communities.
“Come up with big dreams, write them down and bring them to government through these agencies. You will help end starvation,” he said.
“Do not sit at home. The opportunities are open for you.”