ACKERVILLE – It was on Friday morning when they were gathered by community development workers and ward councilors from Emalahleni Local Municipality led by its mayor, Linah Malatji and awaited the arrival of the MEC for Social Department, Thandi Shongwe who ended up being their hero of the day because she obliged to their request to be eventually admitted to the Nkangala Rehabilitation Center based in Delmas, Victor Khanye Local Municipality.

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It was a hectic moment to arrive at the required number of the youth to be rehabilitated, which at first was put at 30 and through much pressure from the victims themselves, and their parents, some of whom had accompanied them to the selection, 50 were eventually taken in.

The rest remained in the township, back to their respective families, but they sincerely requested to be attended to medically at home, including food parcels.

It was such a wonderful and emotional moment as they boarded minibusses en route to the center and their families and community bidding them farewell.

Summing up the day’s hectic activities, an equally emotional and upbeat Shongwe said: “This is a touching moment and at the same time, very emotional because one really comes face to face with the truth that our province is highly infested with drug addicts and serious drug problem.

“What’s touching most about today’s encounter with these youngsters, is the enthusiasm and vigor they have on demanding that they want to be rehabilitated and turn over a new leaf in their lives and be the perfect citizens we require of them – why not give them what they want and are willing to put their lives on the block and change for the better.

“It’s also thanks to the premier who insisted that we utilize this rehabilitation center which had not been officially opened and functional, these youngsters are the first residents and must utilize their time profitably to change for the better.

“The realization now is that as provincial government in our department, we have to rally around all drug victims in all our cities and increase our rehabilitation centers in all the towns and villages because it’s not only youngsters that have been affected by drugs, but adults, too. We, together with the SAPS and the department of safety, security and community liaison should unite and come up with a strategy to flush out drug lords in our society to save our communities. Our second challenge is to increase these rehabilitation centers, not only to treat them for drugs but to upskill them with skills that will transform their entire livelihood.

“That’s our mission and if we continue working together as government entities in our different sectors, we will win this war,” she concluded.

Speaking to Calvin Gugu Khumalo, one of the victims, he said: “I’m glad I’m here at last because I wanted to. I’m tired of this life and the drugs. I want to reclaim my life.”

Khumalo revealed that he has been addicted since 2012 when he was in Grade 11.
“I want to continue my schooling from where I left off. Through this rehabilitation, I will transform my life and be what I’d initially envisaged,” he ended.