In a heartening display of community support and empowerment, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in partnership with Growgreat, Flourish, Department of Health, Department of Social Development and key civil society organisations, hosted hundreds of pregnant moms at the Worcester Town Hall on Tuesday 10 October.
The purpose was to provide information on programmes that support them through the first 1 000 days of their child’s life.
Among the key issues discussed was the risk of stunting, a condition that arises from prolonged under-nutrition, in which growth is stunted, both physically and mentally. Growgreat, in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch, has identified Worcester as a town with one of the highest levels of stunting in the country, sitting on a 26% rate.
Keynote speaker Cllr Minnie Pietersen of Cape Winelands District Municipality urged mothers to consider their babies as seeds, stessing that what they eat, their environment and the company they keep all play a pivotal role in their child’s development.
Dr Dannie Theron, a Programme Director, underscored the importance of family planning. He highlighted a sobering statistic: “Fourteen percent of mothers in Worcester are 10 to 19 years old. This figure serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive family planning education and support.”
The event ended with a rousing address from Western Cape Provincial Minister of Health Nomafrench Mbombo. She passionately implored mothers to prioritise their mental health and emphasised the importance of regular check-ups. “It should be like going to a doctors visit, go for check ups before its too late.”
Priscilla Bangani, a first-time mom-to-be from Zweletemba who attended, expressed her gratitude for the campaign’s invaluable insights. “I have learnt not only how to maintain my health during pregnancy, but also what steps to take once the child is born. It’s been an eye-opening experience.”
This Worcester awareness campaign, fortified by the collaborative efforts of dedicated stakeholders, leaves an indelible mark on the community. By providing moms with the knowledge and tools they need to nurture both themselves and their children this initiative sets the stage for a brighter, healthier future.
