Nkobongo teens tell it like it is to peers
Adam Ntamila said one of the biggest mistakes he had made was putting his friends before his parents.
Girls as young as 12 falling pregnant is on the rise in Nkobongo and the use of drugs is among the community’s biggest problems – two factors which have driven the Nkobongo Resource Centre to find ways to change the behaviour of the youth of the residential area adjoining Shakaskraal.
“We bring those children who were misbehaving and those who have been behaving to meet and make their younger brothers and sisters aware of the challenges and how to defeat them,” said centre manager Zamo Mngadi.
One of the young people brought to speak to the youth last Thursday was Adam Ntamila.
He was arrested in grade ten and sentenced to 17 years in prison but was released on parole after serving only six years. He has been out of jail for the past 18 months.
He said one of the biggest mistakes he had made was putting his friends before his parents.
“My message is that children should be close to their parents instead of spending too much time with friends. If I did that I am sure I would have not gone to jail,” said Ntamila.
Another person who caught the interest of many people was Nomfundo Tshabane who spoke about the difficulties of being a mother while in school.
The 17-year-old girl is a mother of a two-year-old girl and she is currently in grade eight.
Nokulunga Mngadi emphasised the importance of Umkhosi Womhlanga (Reed dance) held in Enyokeni KwaNongoma every September.
The 19-year-old is a first year student at the Tshwane University, studying financial management.
“At the Reed Dance we get to be taught about the importance of being a decent women and the importance of taking care of yourself and your body.
One of the things we learn is taking pride in the area where you live. In that way you will be careful of what you do,” said Mngadi.
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