The Norwood and Orange Grove community came together on Freedom Day, April 27, to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and why it was not tolerated.

Chanting songs and slogans were children and adults who held banners and wore T-shirts that discouraged drug use.

Read more: How are you going to celebrate Freedom Day?

Founder of Life Reload Centre, William Moloi, explained that the march was held because the youth were held captive by drugs.

“Substance abusers, who include the youth, are not free, so we want to choose this day to demonstrate that they can free themselves from drug abuse.”

Moloi added that the march was about creating awareness, which included different sectors of society.

Also read: A Freedom Day breakfast feast

“This is a call for people in society who require our help; it’s also a call to say we see you and you’re suffering and are not looking away from this. Our organisation is aiming to go to schools to spread awareness and make sure that we discourage drug use.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth The Norwood and Orange Grove community make their voices heard on Freedom Day. Video: Asanda Matlhare #Rosebank #Norwood #Freedomday ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Freedom Day is a celebration of the liberation of South Africans from a long period of colonialism, apartheid and the white minority domination these systems entrenched, he said.

April 27 marks the day in 1994, when all South Africans, regardless of race, freely participated in the elections that publicly announced our constitutional democracy.

The NPO founder said the day’s campaign was the beginning of many more to come, “We’re going to do a promotional campaign in the community and schools.

We’re based in Orange Grove for community members who are interested in our services.”

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