The department of Social Development in Gauteng officially launched a substance abuse prevention programme called Ke Moja I’m fine without drugs awareness campaign.
The programme was launched at Soshanguve South secondary school in Tshwane on Friday.
Amongst the guest were Moja Love presenter Xolani Khumalo from popular show Sizokuthola, Department of Social Development Chief Director responsible for Social Welfare and Specialized Services Tebello Mkhonto, officials, pupils, different NPO, NGO and stakeholders.
Moja Love presenter Xolani Khumalo from popular show Sizokuthola talked to pupils about drugs and how it can destroy their lives and urges learners to focus on their education.
Department of Social Development Chief Director responsible for Social Welfare and Specialized Services Tebello Mkhonto told the Tshwane Talks that as part of ongoing fight against substance abuse the Gauteng province will be embark on Ke Moja, I’m fine without drugs campaign all over the province.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness on dangers of substance abuse for learners and to outline programmes offered for learners and schools by the department in the fight against the scourge.
This programme was first introduced in 2013this programme was aimed at school going children’s as well as out of school youth. It is an outcome-based programme that assess the participant of progress throughout the programme.
“The implementation of Ke Moja Program will be spread throughout the province by visiting high schools to say Ke Moja, we are fine without drugs.
Every week we intend rolling out this program as we urge communities to join hands with government to fight the scourge of substance abuse,” she said.
She said the Ke Moja program give effects to the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan and the Gauteng City Region (GCR) Anti-Substance Abuse Strategy to reduce demand for drugs harm caused by drugs and supply of drugs in communities.
Substance abuse is an elevated priority program as pronounced by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi earlier this year.
The Ke Moja Outreach program by the Gauteng Department of Social Development and Education, at schools aimed at sustaining a drug free environment in which learners and youth enjoy their freedom, develop intellectually, socially, economically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
“We want to reach out to pupils and youth to stay away from drugs and to concentrate only on their books and to leave bad friends,” Mkhonto said.
Moja Love presenter Xolani Khumalo from popular show Sizokuthola, told learners at Soshanguve South High that the fight against drugs is aimed at benefitting their future.
“I am an explosive engineer by training, but I chose to play my part and assist in the fight against drugs and substance abuse. As we are here today, we want you to walk free in your community and parks without fear of been mugged,” Khumalo said.
“I have learned a lot about drugs, and I believe this programme will help us pupils to stay away from drugs and concentrate on our books and I will tell my friends and family about it,” pupil Koketso Sibanyoni said.