Mthatha learners march against youth drug abuse

A learner support agent and a peer educator from the Department of Education, Iviwe Pangwa, led a march in Mthatha with learners from different schools last week to encourage people to stop using drugs.

The march was supported by different stakeholders, including local artists from Mthatha. He said that he was one of the people who used to use drugs, so he knows the consequences personally.

“This march was my vision because of my background of who I was, and who I am now. I want to tell the world that I was also a drug addict, so I had this vision wishing that we could inform everybody about this problem,” said Pangwa.

Learners from different schools, accompanied by different stakeholders, marched in the Mthatha streets saying no to drugs and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Photo: Babalwa Ndlanya

He added that people should know about these social ills that are affecting them. Pangwa said that his aim was to inform those who might have a lack of knowledge about the result of drug use.

“We want to win the souls of those who are already addicted, and some who are coming from homes where Gender Based Violence (GBV) is taking place. Since I am also a victim, I want to tell those who are addicted that they must know there is always a way out.”

An Afro Soul and acapella singer, Bathandwa Golozana, said that he was also raised in a family where GBV was taking place, but he did not say no because he was young at that age.

“I want to appeal to those who are using drugs to stop that, because this is also damaging their health. We are advising men to treat women in a good way,” said Golozana.

A learner from James Kobi Primary School in Mthatha, Boitumelo Madonyela, said that they wish people can stop using drugs because they are dangerous.

“I will never take drugs because they are very dangerous and they could ruin my life; that is why I am saying no to them,” said Madonyela.

Another learner from St Johns College, Phakama Mthenjana, said that he wished youth can know the outcomes of using drugs because they do not affect only them, but also their families.

“Let us know that the drugs will live with us forever, but if we can ignore them and live our normal life drugs will never destroy us,” said Mthenjana.