A talent show is how the Make It Count Youth Development (MICYD) group ended its series of substance abuse prevention programmes.
Youths from Reedville, Tornado and Phomolo were targeted for the event held last Friday at the Home Fellowship Church, in Reedville (Mzumbe).
According to the project co-ordinator Xolisile Mtshali, drama, singing, public speaking and dance are talents which were explored by the young people attending the event.
“If we say we want to prevent young people from abusing substances, then we need to channel them to other activities,” said Xolile.
Everyone was in stitches during the performance of the drama, ‘Life is too short’, which tells the story of families dealing with substance abuse.
The day started with a motivational talk by Musa Zwane (34), an ex-offender and substance abuser who has been clean for 12 years.
Together with motivating the youth about the importance of having a positive mental attitude, Musa explained to the group that, ‘substance abuse is the overuse of both legal and illegal substances, while addiction is when your mind gets used to the feeling of using a substance’.
Musa says he was reformed in prison and had a clear goal to continue his motivational work once he was released.
Other events which were part of this project included a documentary and film screening, as well as a day of testimonies. Targeted areas included White City, High Land, Deep Level, Extension Three and Barcelona.
