Pretoria – The 2015 festive season will be one with a positive difference for the youth of Kayamnandi in the Western Cape.
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini will today take the #YOLOMovement to the community of Kayamnandi to encourage a change in behaviour ahead of the so-called “big days”.
The event will take place in the afternoon at Kayamnandi Sports Field in Stellenbosch.
The recently launched #YOLOMovement tackles the underlying factors that affect the HIV incidence in the 15 – 24 age group. Issues such as engaging in sex from a young age, sex in exchange for material goods, multiple concurrent sexual partners, as well as alcohol and substance abuse and its contribution to irresponsible behaviour are some of the matters that the movement deals with.
In pop culture, YOLO is an acronym for “you only live once”.
Minister Dlamini will make her second visit to the community of Kayamnandi with an aim to progressively deal with the social challenges facing the community.
During her first visit to the area in October 2013, Minister Dlamini focused on strengthening and giving NGOs in Kayamnandi the capacity to deal effectively with the socio-economic challenges facing the community.
Today, she will introduce the #YOLOMovement to the community.
During recent engagements with the residents of Kayamnandi, the Department of Social Development found that there is high prevalence of drug abuse among young people in the area, which contributes to irresponsible behaviour and leads to teenage pregnancies, the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted illnesses, as well as school drop outs and crime.
Tik has also been found to be the drug of choice among the young people in the area.
Concerned residents, who participated in the community dialogues with the department, also raised other persistent challenges including lack of housing, high unemployment levels and illiteracy among young persons.
The Minister will use the community imbizo to talk to parents about their responsibilities and how the department can assist them in providing guidance and support to young people.
As the country continues to observe the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, Minister Dlamini will also use the event to highlight the importance of teaching young boys to value and respect women as well as educate the community at large in supporting victims of gender based violence.
The Department of Social Development operates the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) – a 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence.
The toll-free number to call for assistance 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. - SAnews.gov.za
