Stakeholders rally to tackle social ills

Various stakeholders including traditional healers, chiefs, church members and residents met in Khayelitsha on Saturday, July 1, to discuss the problems facing society, especially young people, and to find solutions.

The meeting was arranged by Khayelitsha community leader and traditional healer Doctor Thembisa Skaap who said she was motivated to act by what she is seeing happening in the country where the government and different departments do nothing to help the vulnerable children of the township. She said one has to be connected to someone to get a job or get proper help.

“Sadly, we live in a society where there are no leaders, no teachers and a lot of connection. Children are abusing each other at schools while teachers are present. There are no leaders in the community, instead people who want to be known as leaders. Churches are fighting for position and are in disarray. There is no electricity where we live but we have the so-called leaders. It is time that we all become teachers and leaders. Let us be connected to each other so as to fight these social ills that affect our children,” said Ms Skaap.

She made a call to the attendees to get involved in their areas.

She said all the townships are riddled with criminal activity, bullying at schools, domestic violence and substance abuse.

“If you look at schools, there is no connection between teachers and children. For one to get a job she/he must know someone in the top echelons or hierarchy of government or company. We have lost Ubuntu. The world is perishing while we watch. Let us rise up and fight for our children. I am a leader, you are a leader even though with no position but still we are all leaders. Let us connect and do many important and significant tasks for the sake of our children's future,” she said.

Everybody in attendance worked together to determine a way forward and to find solutions.

Chief Silindile Sigcau said with the help of the stakeholders and some government departments, there should be a solution to the challenges. He, however, made a call for those who met to form a committee that will not be politically affiliated and that will work to resolve the issues they are experiencing and to make their children safe.

“Drugs and substance abuse have no colour. It destroys everything. We are here for our country and our children. This should not be a political thing,” he said.

Chief Sigacu said tertiary institutions are also becoming a hub for drug dens. “There is a challenge there. Our children go to study but end up doing drugs. I know of a child who is now at a psychiatric hospital for drugs. That means we need to extend this to that level too,” he said.

Church member Thando Makapela said the task ahead won’t be easy because children do not see any wrong doing and the drug merchants will not allow their business to go down without a fight.

He said everybody is a prisoner to drugs and substance abuse.

He said the long-suffering victims are those who are not doing drugs but trying to build their future. He said the initiative is a good one that will need everyone to be involved.

Matshabalala Mthathi from the traditional healers said she supported the plan because many children are addicted to drugs and other substances.

After all the serious topics had been discussed and plans were put into place to resolve the issues, the attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch together. They agreed to have an imbizo with other stakeholders soon.