GAUTENG.- The reigning Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida, believes that mental health has to be spoken about openly.

She articulated her view that the stigma attached to mental illness issues has to end in an address to learners at Boitekong Secondary School and Meriti Secondary School in Rustenburg, Northwest, recently.

Shudu was a guest of the Adopt-a-School Foundation, an entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. In partnership with JSE-listed mining company Merafe Resources, Adopt-a-School Foundation hosted a Health, Sanitation and Sexuality Awareness Campaign at Boitekong Secondary School and Meriti Secondary School in the North West Province.

This campaign is part of a broader Social Welfare project funded by Merafe Resources. The campaign aims to educate learners about puberty and their transition into adulthood, helping them to make informed choices. Sexuality Education offers learners useful information on sexuality, puberty, menstruation, male reproductive health, relationships, contraception, teenage pregnancy and STIs, including HIV/AIDS.

Shudu said she was delighted to be able to talk to the young adults about mental health. “I have been told that this school was established in 2006 by the Boitekong community and Government. Before that, learners had to walk 15 kilometres to a neighbouring school,” Shudu said.

”In many developing neighbourhoods, there are socioeconomic challenges– challenges that often lead to mental health issues. These mental health issues are often ignored, rather than dealt with.  Mental health and mental illness are such taboo subjects, I have dedicated my reign as Miss South Africa to shining a spotlight on these issues.” Shudu continued. Shudu shared these views with the young learners, adding that learners need to ask for help if they find themselves struggling; there is no shame in admitting that they are feeling anxious or fearful or afraid of having out of control thoughts.

Ms Zanele Matlala, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merafe Resources said “Since our first investment in these schools and in Adopt-a-School Foundation, we have seen school leaders, educator and learners grow and thrive. We have witnessed the improvement in school morale and leadership, sustainable infrastructure and the increase in matric results year-on-year. Seeing the sustainability of interventions by the school has also been priceless to witness. We have funded this three-year Social Welfare programme to provide necessary support to the schools in addressing the significant challenges these school communities face. ”