Local NPO hosts tournament to benefit the vulnerable
Through the event, the organisation aimed to encourage the youth and community to participate in activities such as football, netball, chess, music and dance.
Nhlosenhle Drug and Substance Abuse Treatment Agency (NDSATA) recently hosted the Woza Nazo Sports, Arts and Culture Drug Awareness Tournament at the Ecaleni Grounds.
Through the event, they aimed to encourage the youth and community to participate in activities such as football, netball, chess, music and dance.
According to the agency, most victims of drug and substance abuse are between 13 and 45.
ALSO READ: Local NPO takes a stand against crime on August 26
The community also could showcase their talents.
The organisation prepared certificates of appreciation for all partners, and the winning teams of all sporting codes registered received awards and medals.
Food parcels and clothes were distributed to 50 vulnerable households during the event.
The organisation partnered with the National Lottery Commission (NLC) NICRO, Tembisa Revolution, Tembisa Neighborhood Watch, Serurubele Jones Foundation, and Ekurhuleni Social Development to host the event, while aQuelle donated 300 bottles of water.
ALSO READ: Local NPO hosts successful event
NDSATA invited various schools to participate in the tournament and Marhulani and Welamblambo primary schools answered the call.
The agency also approached local community sports teams to participate.
The community responded well to the tournament, and as a result, some houses donated clothes that were given to the vulnerable.
Neliswa Mkhwanazi from NDSATA said communities in Thembisa are under siege because of drugs.
“In Thembisa, we have an enormous challenge of drug abuse, and we believe through this intervention, the number of drug users will be reduced.
ALSO READ: Food items donated to Kempton Park Feral Feline NPO
“We are planning to change the charges of drugs from a Schedule Two offence to a Schedule Five offence. It means when you get arrested for drugs, you must apply for bail before you may be granted bail and the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) must be part of the bail committee.
“That is what NDSATA is currently working on, and we are only left with completing the petition so we can submit our memorandum,” added Mkhwanazi.
