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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa said that the province has experienced the rising tide of drug abuse, especially among the children and youth. This startling revelation was revealed during Moiloa’s visit to Mosamaria O Molemo Centre for Children in Dibate village, near Mahikeng on Monday.

Moiloa embarked on an outreach campaign to close the Child Week Protection Week campaign and to address the plight of children that have been caused by poor parenting, alcohol abuse, and negligence during COVID-19 pandemic.

“The usage of drugs is a challenge in the province and we have realized that the increase of drug abuse is prompted by a high rate of unemployment. Some learners dropped out of school after their parents or guardians lost their jobs.

“Another challenge is that some school children attend according to the scheduled timetable. So, this gives them more time to experiment with wrong things. However, as the department, we have our social workers across the province working tirelessly to address this matter,” Moiloa said.

She further urged all community members to inform them about anyone who is experiencing drug abuse. Moiloa said they have a rehabilitation centre in Potchefstroom that gives assist all drug addicts.

“We also give counseling to the family or relative of the victim. We encourage all those who are taking care of street children to notify us so that they can be funded. Our department has set aside more than R3 million to empower and fund those who run Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) especially the youth.

“We are going to have awareness campaigns across the province to encourage the youth to register NPOs and create job opportunities for others. We also encourage them to volunteer in various organizations to assist in curbing drug abuse especially among the youth and children,” said Moiloa.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Health and Social Services, Maurencia Gillion said: “As the country commemorates child protection week under the them: “Let us protect children during Covid-19 and Beyond” it is important to remember the impact the pandemic has had on the lives of children.

“Children need to be prioritised at all times as they are amongst the vulnerable groups in society. This week the rights of children are placed under the spotlight to create awareness about their rights. Children need to be protected against any form of abuse and as a country and society we need to ensure maximum protection of safe physical, emotional and mental well-being of our children.”

Gillion further said the recent reports in the public domain of children committing suicide is an indication that more needs to be done for children in ensuring their safety at home and schools.

South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) shows that an alarming 21-28% of patients treated for substance abuse in 2016-7 were under the age of 20 years old – and those are merely the figures of people who have undergone treatment, not taking into account the many who never make it to this point.

According to the reports, South Africans are among the top 10 narcotics and alcohol abusers in the world. SACENDU report said that the average age of experimentation in South Africa is 12 years old.

ALCO-Safe Director, Rhys Evans, said he has seen a marked increase in the number of schools seeking drug testing equipment, since drug testing at schools became legal in 2008.

“We are increasingly approached by schools to give talks and provide drug testing equipment, for a broad spectrum of narcotics. However, the majority of these schools are private, where funds are less of an issue and parental involvement often pushes for testing to be implemented.

“At government schools, we have found testing to be considerably lower. This could stem from a number of reasons, including lack of funding, poor education around drug use for educators, scholars and parents alike, and lack of sufficient support around testing methods and rehabilitation,” Evans said.

Dr Joel Shapiro, Clinical Psychologist at Randburg’s Akeso Crescent Clinic, says that most drug use stems from an underlying emotional problem.

“The core trigger for drug use is often an emotional one. A sense of alienation, disconnectedness, loneliness and lack of normalcy arises often in the years following puberty.

“These can stem from multiple sources, such as an unstable home environment, family worries, a lack of support from social groups or communities, a lack of acceptance among peers – perceived or real, or even a genetic predisposition towards depression,” said Dr Shapiro.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said he is concern about the increase of COVID-19 infections in the province. North West has been experiencing the spike in COVID-19 cases in the past seven days with an average of 300 cases reported daily.

Sambatha said the province has recorded a total number of 426 new positive cases and this gives the province 78836 active cases. He said since the beginning of June, the province has been recording over 400 cases daily and Bojanala and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts have been hard-hit by the recent resurgence of positive cases.

“These recent developments do not augur well for the provincial health system. The Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital sounded an alarm yesterday with an increasing number of hospitalisation for coronavirus cases in the district.

“This raises grave concern for the provincial health system as it points out to a potential crisis if our communities do not take preventative measures to curb the spread of infections. We, therefore, urge our communities to assist us to protect our fragile system by adhering to preventative measures,” he said.

Samabatha further said the members of the public are also warned of the third wave which accounts for the rise in new daily cases. He added that it seems people have let their guts down.

“People are beginning to live as if we are back to normality. We see this in how shopping complexes, taxi ranks, and domestic activities like funerals get overcrowded. This is likely to add to more increase in the number of new cases. Over and above, please avoid congregate settings.

“We urge the public to avoid unnecessary travel, to always wear masks when in public and ensure that they practice social distancing. They must also wash their hands regularly or sanitise,” said Sambatha.  

He said the province has so far recorded 78836 positive cases and 70077 have since recovered. Sambatha said this translates to 88.9% of the recovery rate.

“Unfortunately the province has recorded 1949 COVID-19 related deaths to date. The province is making significant strides in the fight against the Coronavirus with 70209 vaccines administered to date,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Klerksdorp/ Tshepong and West Vaal Hospital complexes have prohibited visitors. The management of these hospitals said visitors are no longer allowed in the hospital premises with immediate effect until further notice. 

According to information, the hospitals are experiencing a surge in admissions due to the third wave of COVID-19 infections. This decision was taken to avoid the increase of the risk of cross-infection to vulnerable patients in the hospital complexes.

The hospitals appeal to the public to cooperate with them and further request them to call directly via patient cellphones or use (018) 406-3111 or (018) 406-4600 and alternative number for Westvaal Hospital is (018) 473-0496 /018 4730256 or Cell: 073 769 7295 where they will be directed to the respective ward.

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By STAFF REPORTER

Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the passing of reverend Johannes Tselapedi. Former North West MEC for Education died on Sunday following a short illness.

ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) coordinator in the North West, Hlomani Chauke described Tselapedi as a decorated freedom Fighter, a distinguished leader and an accomplished political, religious and social activist.

“We have learned with utter shock and sadness about the passing of one of the longest serving leaders of our movement, Tselapedi. In 1980, OJ as Tselapedi was affectionately known, became a Pastor of Evangelical Church and went on to become the youngest Chairperson of Southern African Evangelical Church.

“In 1983, he was appointed as the first black Rector of the Evangelical Bible Institute, a position he passionately used to challenge injustice. As a member of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), OJ fought tirelessly against the draconian apartheid rule,” Chauke said.

He further said Tselapedi’s relentless and determined activism stroke fear in the ‘repressive’ leader of the Bophuthatswana regime, Kgosi Lucas Mangope to the extent that he labelled him, an “ANC in church”.

For his involvement in the struggle against apartheid, Tselapedi was suspended from the leadership of the Evangelical Church. However, his suspension did not deter him.

“Tselapedi was rather emboldened to fight against political and social injustice. He went on to organize marches against the tyrant Bophuthatswana regime under the banner of the Forum for Human Rights in Bophuthatswana.

“Following the unbanning of the ANC, Tselapedi was elected as the chairperson of the ANC in the Western Transvaal. He served the ANC at a provincial level in many capacities including as the deputy chairperson of the ANC in the North West,” said Chauke.

After the democratic breakthrough in 1994, Tselapedi was appointed to serve in the North West Provincial Government as the MEC for Transport and Aviation. He was subsequently appointed to serve as MEC for Agriculture and went on later to serve as the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) speaker.

“He was later appointed as the North West MEC for Education. At the time of his passing, Tselapedi was a member of the ANC IPC. He was also serving as the ANC councillor in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, where he chaired the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).

“The ANC has lost a loyal and disciplined cadre whose commitment to the unity, rebuilding, renewal of ANC was demonstrable through his contribution within the IPC. The people of the North West have been overwhelmingly favoured through his sterling, humble and selfless leadership,” he said.

North West Provincial Government spokesperson, Brian Setswanbung who was the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) provincial secretary during Tselapedi’s tenure as the North West MEC for Education shared the same sentiments.

Setswambung said: “RIP Reverend OJ Tselapedi. You made your mark in the world of the living. You provided inspirational leadership at all times when you were given an opportunity to lead. You led the North West Department of Education remarkably. 

“When critics pontificated that you would not make it as the North West MEC for Education, you proved them wrong. You successfully galvanised stakeholders to support education and the department you led was to enjoy a steady improvement of matric results and labour peace.”

The Global Tourism Legacy Networks Pty Ltd chairperson, Charles Ndabeni said Tselapedi was a colossal creature of maximum value, the knowledge architect and community leader. Ndabeni said Tselapedi refused to be defined by his pigmentation and situation.

“Tselapedi served at the highest levels of leadership in the African National Congress and the North West Provincial Government. He was the chairperson of the African National Congress in the Western Transvaal, held three cabinet seats and he remained the most senior leader in the province until his untimely death.

“I will cherish for what remains of my life the first time I met him in Tlhabane in 1989. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

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