DA leads youth in blood donation campaign

During a campaign to raise awareness on the importance of donating blood, Jacques Smalle, Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Ngoako Setjie, DA Councillor in Capricorn District Municipality, led members of the Student Representative Councils (SRC) from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and Capricorn TVET College on a blood donation drive at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Smalle said the purpose of the drive was to inform the youth that they have a responsibility towards the country and that donating blood was one of many ways in which they can contribute positively.
“By giving your blood you not only help to save someone’s life but you help your body to rejuvenate the blood cells,” he stated.
He continued to say that the community likes to celebrate Youth Month but they often forget the responsibility they have towards the youth in educating them on ways to contribute towards the country. “I believe you can’t expect your community to do something if you are not willing to do it yourself,” Smalle said.
The reason the DA brought the SRC members, according to Smalle, is that part of being on a council is to launch activities in order to improve cooperation among members. And since the SRCs have a wide area of influence at the tertiary institutions, they can experience blood donating and encourage other students to donate more frequently, Smalle said.
Setjie, a first time donor himself, said it was important for the youth to come and participate in blood drives: “As a councillor I want to encourage young people to come and donate blood in order to help save lives.”
Tumi Ragatje, SRC member at Capricorn TVET College, after her first donation said she had felt no pain or discomfort. She encouraged the public to donate blood as she was afraid to donate before but the staff at SANBS explained everything thoroughly to her and the other SRC members where-after she felt very confident and more relaxed.

Story, photos & video: THINUS DU TOIT
>>thinus@observer.co.za