Community members gathered at Themba Senamela Stadium in Mhluzi for a Family Fun Day and Anti-Drug March organised by the Growth Point Initiative on October 2.

Growth Point Initiative founder Nomabhele Tshiki said the event aimed to strengthen family bonds and tackle the growing substance abuse crisis in Mhluzi.

She said the event featured a soccer tournament, family activities and talks from guest speakers, designed to bring local residents together while promoting health and wellness.

“Our expectation for today is actually to bring the community together,” Tshiki said.

“The whole point of having the fun day, as much as we have organisations, is that we need to bring family-orientated structures into townships. Parents need to learn how to play with their children – they must become a unit. If we become a unit in society, we establish more.”

Lack of leadership turnout

Despite a positive turnout among young people, Tshiki voiced concern about the severity of drug abuse in the area and a lack of engagement from key community members.

“We are facing a very serious challenge with drugs in our town, and it actually starts in Mhluzi,” she said.

“It has to start from the top. I’m very surprised that this awareness campaign was publicised, but the people who were actually supposed to attend are not here. It worries me a lot that we are not taking it seriously. We don’t have future leaders because they are intoxicated.”

Youth teams compete

Local football teams, including Malombo FC, Future Rising FC and Doornkop Future Stars FC, competed in the soccer tournament.

“We’re expecting a lot of people and are very optimistic. We’re grateful for the youth that is here, and that’s exactly what we want to do – we’re aiming for the youth to be part of such initiatives,” Tshiki added.

The event started with a march from Mhluzi Mall to the stadium and ended at 15:00.