A conversation that began with adolescent sexual-health research, music and the question “Are you thinking with your brain or your hormones?” is moving from information to practical community action.

On Thursday 17 September, singer-songwriter, nurse and Stellenbosch University (SU) MNurs graduate Marthie Hauptfleisch presented “Hey, Brain” at StellCare in Ida’s Valley.

The gathering brought together people working across the community system: StellCare and e’Bosch Heritage Project, counsellors, nurses, social workers, final-year SU social-work students, social-auxiliary workers, diversion and parenting services, courts, the Social Employment Fund, Social Development and GBV coordination as well as NPOs and participants from Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Melkbosstrand. SU theology students were also represented.

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Knowledge with beats

The session took Hauptfleisch’s research on adolescent sexual-health knowledge, practices and influences out of the thesis into a practical community conversation. Participants explored menstrual education, popular contraceptives and longer-acting contraception.

Tools were demonstrated rather than simply discussed.

Music was deliberately part of the conversation. Hauptfleisch performed her “Hey, Brain” song and introduced a new one-minute one, “Ten (Count Them Condoms)”, written on Thursday 10 September during the FAWM Song Sprint, a week dedicated to music.

The playful song turns a pack of 10 condoms into a memorable counting exercise, using humour to make an uncomfortable subject easier to talk about.

“Knowledge is not enough,” said Hauptfleisch.

“My research showed me young people can know the facts and still struggle to use that knowledge when decisions are made. ‘Hey Brain’ is about creating the conversation between knowledge, choices and real life.”

Connection for informed choices

The presentation included findings from Hauptfleisch’s research in the greater Stellenbosch area and then moved into discussion on how the important information, tools and conversations could be given to the communities.

The event also launched the next phase: Happy Man, Happy Woman, Happy Families – Get a Permanent Smile, sometimes described as the “Happy Bus”.

The initiative aims to connect people who have made informed reproductive choices with practical access to services. “Happy Man” focuses on vasectomy and the permanent smile; “Happy Woman” includes permanent contraception as well as a “five-year smile” through long-acting contraception such as the Mirena/IUCD.

The momentum was immediate; the day after the event, confirmation was received for a pilot service day at Cloetesville Community Health Centre World Vasectomy Day (20 November).

The current plan provides capacity for around 20 IUCD insertions and six vasectomies between 09:00 and 13:00, supported by the participating healthcare team.

StellCare will assist with community recruitment, while the project covers information, choice, registration, referral, transport, procedure and follow-up.

The Stellenbosch Thuthuzela Centre has also confirmed its willingness to participate.

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