Star for Life leads walk against teenage pregnancy
A non-profit organisation called Star for Life held a walk against teenage pregnancy on October 12.
Two schools from Zonkizizwe township – Zonkizizwe and Winile Secondary Schools took part in the march.
The marchers started at Zonkizizwe Secondary School, went to Winile Secondary School and then headed back to Zonkizizwe Secondary School where they were addressed. On the way members of the community, as well as local church members, joined in the march.
According to Scelo Mathenjwa, the Star for Life area manager, the purpose of the march was to warn young adults about teenage pregnancy.
He said the organisation works with youth and high school learners.
“We know they have dreams and we believe it is up to them to make their dreams come alive. Every child with dreams will be successful in life. It doesn’t matter the background you come from – you just need to have a dream and self-confidence,” said Mathenjwa.
He said Start for Life motivates youth.
“We go to different schools and educate them about the importance of education. We believe that if they know the importance of education, they will stay away from things like drugs and sex which do not add value to their education,” Mathenjwa told Kathorus MAIL.
He said research about the high teenage pregnancy rate in Gauteng was conducted by the Gauteng MEC of Education, Panyaza Lesufi.
“It was discovered that school children partake in sex at the age of 12 years and 86 per cent of them prefer not to use a condom. A lot has been done to prevent pregnancies, but they do not stop. The minister has admitted he has failed to find solutions.
“We as Star for Life held a walk against teenage pregnancies to find solutions because we want the community to be aware that this is a serious problem,” said Mathenjwa.
“The solutions that we came up with include:
*We advised learner couples to talk about the consequences before the sleep because we can’t tell them not to do as they don’t listen.
*Others are not aware that they are having sex because they are taking drugs. They fall pregnant and are not aware who the child’s father is. The solution to that is that young people must stay away from drugs.
*Others are falling pregnant at a young age because they are raped at home. They don’t even know what rape is. “We taught them what is regarded as rape and that they must report it. If they are unable to report to their elders at home or teachers at school, they must at least report to their sport coach,” he said.
He thanked all the organisations including Ekupholeni, Tsohang, EMPD, SAPS, Abanqobi, the Department of Education and the Department of Health.
Community members including marshals, ex-convicts as well as local churches were also present.
