Recreation will keep kids off the streets

LUPHISI – Substance abuse is one of themajor health challenges across the province,especially among young people.

A local traditional group, Batukulu Bagogo, is determined to get the youth off the streets by providing traditional recreational activities as a pastime.

They were inspired by a dire lack of
recreational facilities as was explained by the chairperson, Mandlakayise Maseko who said,

“As much as we believe that young people are the leaders of tomorrow, it’s very sad that they are not taking life seriously. I have realised that some of them have talent but they are not utilising it, instead they are taking drugs and booze.

“I am determined to change the situation by recruiting young people who have talent or interest in the
arts such as traditional dancing, poetry and drama,” he said.

The group was established in 1998. Since then, they’ve had the opportunity to showcase their talent to tourists and beyond the borders of this country. They have been to England and Brazil.

“Since the group was established, we have managed to reach out to 40 schools around Ehlanzeni region. We are not only focusing on keeping young people busy, but we also want our language (Siswati) to be recognised and also to take young people’s talents to another level,” he added.

Maseko said being part of the group played a significant role to learners who are doing arts and culture as a subject at
school because they get to learn about them practically.

“We are working with arts andculture teachers in some of the schools such as Fundintjobo, Khutsalani, Sidungenisecondary and Mthayiza Primary. We also teach them about the importance of respecting your culture and how to respectyourself as a young person, including girls because they fall pregnant at an early age. Some even dropped out school and all theirdreams just fade,” he concluded.

Those who are interested can contact : 072- 735-0086