Pretoria – Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini will today take her festive season anti-substance and alcohol abuse campaign to Emakhosini rural village, in Ulundi, urging the community to stop using isiqatha and dagga.
As part of routine visits to assess the socio-economic situation in the poorest wards as identified by Cabinet, the department’s Project Mikondzo team has discovered that, among a number of social challenges in Emakhosini village is the abuse of isiqatha (a form of home-made traditional alcoholic brew) and dagga.
During her visit at the village in Ward 16, Minister Dlamini is expected to introduce interventions for other challenges uncovered by the Project Mikondzo team in the area.
These include high levels of poverty, teenage pregnancy resulting in sexually transmitted infections and young girls dropping out of school, as well as unemployment.
The department will also use the opportunity to create awareness on its 24-hour Command Centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of gender based violence.
The toll free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV). Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone.
Alcohol and substance abuse during the festive season is a leading contributor to violent deaths, pedestrian deaths on the roads, gender-based violence, the abuse of children and the elderly and many other traumas. – SAnews.gov.za
