Youth take charge of their health
Mamelodi youth together with Mamelodi stakeholders came together to participate in the Colour Walk and Sport against HIV/Aids, crime and substance abuse.
Health consciousness is taking off among the youth of Mamelodi.
On June 16, local youth together with stakeholders came together in the colour walk and sport against HIV/Aids, crime and substance abuse.
The event was organised by Mamelodi youth and the walk started at Maseko shopping complex with young people handing out pamphlets to raise awareness about health issues as they made their way to Rethabile sports ground.
Howard Mabena of multi-sectoral aids management units said the day was full of fun activities such as horse rides by Invincible U-turn, a soccer and netball tournament and lots of other entertainment.
He said although the day was in celebration of Youth Day, its main focus was on health.
“We are celebrating youth day under the theme ‘Health’ because many young people from the age of 13 to 24 years are contracting HIV and other health complications related to lifestyle.
“By hosting this event we are raising awareness about health issues and for young people to know their status and look after their health, body and lifestyle,” said Mabena.
“We as young people never commemorate these days of ours in a healthy way.
Mabena said they want to try and reach these generations “so when they grow up they have a better opportunity than what they would have had”.
“We want to celebrate Youth Day by making health popular among the youth and to make sure that all young people look after their health and live a healthy lifestyle.
This was the second annual event.
“We appreciate everybody here and we thank them for the support and we aim to get more young people on board. Our goal is to see zero percent of young people affected by HIV and other diseases.”
Tshwane regional coordinator for Tshwane Aids youth council Bennedick Phalane said he was pleased to see youth coming together to fight for their health.
He said the day was actually about social issues affecting the youth in terms of HIV/Aids, crime, drugs and substance abuse.
“We hope to see more of this event in the near future,” said Phalane.
“The message to the youth is that it is about time they take charge of their own lives.”
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