Youth issues addressed at healthy lifestyle seminar
The office of the Limpopo premier in partnership with the Tubatse youth council, organised a healthy lifestyle seminar at Selala sport grounds on Saturday February 15.
GA SELALA – The office of the Limpopo premier in partnership with the Tubatse youth council, organised a healthy lifestyle seminar at Selala sport grounds on Saturday February 15.
It was attended by the representatives of the Department of Health and Social Development, South African National Council on Alcoholism (SANCA), Mecklenburg SAPS, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), local chiefs and local councillors.
Speaking to the hundreds of people, Mpho Sebola, from Limpopo’s Office of the Premier, said the main aim of the event was to teach communities about issues affecting them – he highlighted the fact that HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse were major concerns to everyone in the country.
“We called the parents so that they could listen to us and pass the messages on to the children, not to indulge in drugs and substance abuse. Not only do drugs damage your body but they also destroy your life.
“Parents, if you don’t talk to your children about HIV/Aids, drugs and crime, they will get wrong messages on the streets and practise them,” said Sebola.
Themba Ngele, chairman of Tubatse Youth Council told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that he was pleased with the attendance.
“Our event started with a 10km fun walk which involved all the youth. We want to ensure that they are all fit and healthy – it was tiring but we soldiered on to complete the walk,” he said. Ngele thanked all the parents and the youth who had attended.
There was drama towards the conclusion of the event, when Abednico Mashabela, Tubatse youth council secretary, organised an urgent meeting with the media highlighting his displeasure at the way the event was handled and organised.
“I am disappointed with the way the office of the premier treated us in our own backyard. How can they organise a youth event without giving them a platform to voice their views. We were sidelined and disrespected in our own village,” said an irate Mashabela.
The proceedings ended with performances by traditional music groups Dorong and Mohlope Primary School’s drum majorettes.
