People’s Post Grassy Park/Retreat E-edition 21 April 2026

Members of NewHeritageFoundation(NHF)posefor agroup photoduring the expositionofLoveLand, ahybrid

INNOVATIVEPILOTPLATFORMINVITESSHARINGANDLEARNING

Appremoveso igma

KEANAN HARMSE KEANAN.HARMSE@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

ALotusRiver-based nonprofitorganisation, NewHeritageFoundation (NHF), is reshapinghow young people learnabout mental and sexual health,using play,technologyand collaboration to tackle long-standingstigma across SouthAfricaand beyond

NHFhas recently launched itsannual She Matters Campaign,a two-monthinitiative running from ApriltoMay in recognitionof InternationalMenstrual Health Month, aimed at tackling period povertyand restoringdignity to younggirls (“NHFaccelerates fightagainst period poverty”, People’s Post, Tuesday7 April) NHFisdedicated to ending period poverty. It focusesonperiodimpactinitiatives,aimingto ensure no younggirlorwoman is left behind duetomenstruation. Thegroup wasrecently recognised formakingsignificant stridesin advancinggenderequalityand youthempow-

erment aftergetting an awardatthe Voiceand Choice Summit(“NHF wins Voiceaward,” People’s Post 24 March)

This time theNPO is partnering with another activist group, Taboobreaker SA,who are leadinga growingmovementtoprovide young people with honest,accessibleand stigma-free health education. Throughthiscollaboration with NHFthe organisation is nowexpanding its reachacrossmultipleAfrican countriesthrough an innovative pilotprogramme,saidNHF founderChantelle Goliath.

At theheart of theinitiativeisLoveLand, ahybridlearningplatformdesignedtomeet youngpeoplewhere they are, whetheronlineor in community spaces.Combining afreemobile appwithaninteractive boardgame, Love Land offersa flexible approach to educationthat worksacrossdifferentenvironments, including thosewithlimited access to connectivity.

KarinStierlin, thefounder of Tabookbreaker, said theideaemerged from frustrationwith traditionalhealtheducation systemsthatoften rely on outdated,fear-basedmessaging

“Too many youngpeopleare left withoutreal answerstoimportant questionsabout their

bodies,relationships andwell-being,”she explained. “Wewantedtocreatesomething that feelssafe, relevant andengaging.”

What sets Love Land apartisits youth-led design.Young people were actively involved in shapingthe platform,fromnamingittodefiningwhata safe learning spaceshouldlook like Theresultisa tool that resonatesdeeply with its audience,encouraging curiosity, openness and confidencewithout shame.

TheLoveLandapp allows userstoexplore topics such as mental health,relationships andsexualwell-beingprivately andattheir ownpace. With more than 8000 organic downloadsand no paid promotion, it reflects aclear demand foraccessible, judgement-free information. Complementingthe appisthe Love Land BoardGame, whichbringspeople together in facilitatedgroup settings. Designed foruse in schools, community halls andNGO

covering keytopicssuchaspuberty,con sent,communication,identityand emotional well-being. Whilethe subjectmatterisserious, thegame-basedformatmakes discussionsmore approachable andengaging. “The topics are big, butthe experience is playful,” said Stierlin “Thatcombination allows people to askquestionstheymight otherwiseavoid andtoreally connect with thematerial.”

Theinitiativeiscurrently beingtestedthrough alarge-scale pilotproject spanning several SouthAfrican provinces, includingNorthern Cape,KwaZulu-Natal andEastern Cape “Weare expandingthisgamefor corporates whowanttodowellnessprogrammesand hope to reachmoreschoolssowecan further develop notjustlearnersbut teachparents howtoplay thegameand seehow impactful it is andbe able to sharethatknowledge with theirchildren andunderstandthe crisis youngpeopleare beingfaced with.”

Nominated againforWTA

Table Mountain hasonceagain been nominatedasAfrica’sLeading TouristAttraction at theprestigious WorldTravelAwards, andvotershave untilFriday17Julytocasttheir votes andhelpthe iconic landmark secure anothertitle.

Oftendescribed as thetravelindustry’s versionofthe Oscars,the WorldTravelAwards recogniseexcellenceacrossthe global travel, tourismand hospitalitysectors andhavedone so forthe past 33 years.

TheiconicCapeTownlandmarkhas already claimedthe title five timesin2014, 2019,2020, 2021 and2022and is nowhopingtoadd another wintoits record this year

Wahida Parker,ManagingDirectorofTable Mountain Aerial Cableway,saidthisnomination is aproud moment forCapeTownand SouthAfrica.

“Table Mountain is more than alandmark. It is asymbolofour naturalheritageand aworldclassattractionthatcontinues to inspirevisitors from across theglobe.Every vote is an opportunity to show theworld what this destination meanstous.”

.To vote visit www.worldtravelawards.com/ vote.Selectthe Africaregion and choose Table Mountain as Africa’sLeading Tourist Attraction.

IT IS ASYMBOL OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGEAND A WORLD-CLASSATTRACTION

Lifeguardstakingawell-deservedbreather

TheCityofCapeTownhas endedits seasonal lifeguarddeployment, reportinga drop in drowning fatalities during the2025-’26summerseason.

TheCityhas confirmed that seasonal lifeguard contractsended on Tuesday7 April, with beach andpool safety operations nowshiftinginto winter readinessand maintenance.

Community swimming poolshaveclosedfor thewinterseason. However, indoor facilities at Retreat, Blue Downs, Long Street,Strand, and theSea Pointswimming pool remain open yearroundfor public use.

TheCitysaidthe past summerrecordedthe lowest number of fataldrownings in seven years.

Therewerenofatal or non-fataldrownings at municipalswimming poolsduringthe season

Alongdesignatedbathing areasalong the coast, therewerenofatal drownings, while38 non-fatalincidents were recorded

TheCitysaidthese outcomes were significantly reduceddue to swiftinterventions by lifeguards,bystanders, andrescuepartners.

However, nine fataldrownings were recorded alongCapeTown’scoastline

Allweremale, with twoteenagersamong the victimsand theremainder youths andadults over theage of 18

“CapeTownexperienced yetanother bumper

There’ssomething quietly confrontingabout realising we’renearly five months into theyear.

Time hasa wayofslippingpast whilewe’re busy managing theeveryday challenges like stayingupto date with emails,jugglingresponsibilities,and thoseunexpected setbacks

Andsomewhere in between, thosegoals we setwithclarity and intentionatthe startofthe year begintofadeintothe background

I’ve neverbeen afan of New Year’s resolutions. They oftenfeel toorigid,too performative.But

summer, with hundreds of thousandsofvisitors to ourbeaches andswimming pools,”saidMayco member forcommunity services andhealth, Francine Higham

“Wewould like to extend oursincerest gratitude to thelifeguardswho worked tirelesslyto keep everyone safe,inspite of thechallenges that come with watersafety,”she said

TheCitysaidfocus nowshiftstomaintenance andupgradesoffacilitiesahead of thenext

goals? That’s different. Goalsare personal.They’re deliberate.They come from aplace of wantingmore growth,morediscipline, more meaning.

Andassomeone whothrives on structure, I’ve always found comfortinlists.There’s aunique satisfaction in writingsomething down,working toward it,and eventually tickingitoff.It’sa small butpowerful acknowledgment of progress.

Buthere’sthe uncomfortable question:are we actually making time forthose goals?

It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’llget to them “whenthings calm down”. Afterthisbusyweek Afterthisstressful project. After life feelsa bitmoremanageable. Theproblem is that life rarely slowsdownonits own. Therewill

summerseason. It is midway througha fiveyear programme to improve37publicswimming pools, with further upgrades planned.

AproposedR20 million investment forthe 2026-’27 financialyearhas also been tabled to ensure facilities remain safe,accessible, and readyfor peak season.The City’s recreation and parksdepartmenturged thepublictoremain vigilant at beaches, obey warningsignage,and understand waterrisks when swimming

always be anotherdemand, another distraction, anotherreasonto postpone what matters to us Dailychallenges arepersistent. They don’tpolitelystepaside to make room forour ambitions. If anything,theyexpandto fill everyavailable gap. So,ifwedon’t intentionally carveout time forour goals, they simply don’thappen. Andthat’swhere many of us,me included,get stucknot because we lack motivation,but because we underestimatehow easily our priorities getreshuffled

We startthe year focused, but withoutconsistentaction, even themostmeaningful goalslose momentum

This isn’tabout guilt. It’s about awareness. If anything,thispoint in theyear is an opportunity. Amomentto

pausenot to criticiseourselves, buttoreassess. What stillmatters? What have we neglected? And more importantly, what arewe willing to do differentlymoving forward?

Becausethe truthis, tickingoff a goal doesn’tcomefromwaiting for theperfect moment.Itcomes from choosing, repeatedly,toshowup foritevenwhenit’sinconvenient. Even when theday feelstoo full. Thelists we make aren’t just collections of tasks. They’rereflectionsofwhatwevalue.And if somethingistruly importanttous, it deserves more than leftover time So maybethe question isn’t whetherwe’ve been toobusy. Maybeit’swhether we’vebeen intentionalenough. There’sstill time.Eight months to be exact. But only if we decide to useit.

Workshopsstrengthenfamilies

FROMPAGE1

Beyond SouthAfrica, partnerorganisations in countriessuchasRwanda, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania,Mauritius andZambiaare also participating

Theaim of theproject is notonlytoevaluate howthe game worksindifferentcontexts, but also to builda collaborative networkoforganisationsfocused on youthwell-being.

By sharinginsightsand experiences, these partners canstrengthentheir collectiveimpact. Oneofthe standout collaborators is theNHF At arecentworkshopNHF representatives highlightedthe valueofLoveLandasa tool for openingconversations.The organisation has foundthe game particularly effective in creating safe,inclusive spaces fordiscussion

ForNHF thepartnership enhances itsexisting work by providinga new, interactiveway to engage youngpeopleonsensitive topics.For Taboobreaker it reinforces theimportanceof workingwithorganisations that understand theneedsoftheir communities.Early feedback from thepilot suggests that theapproach is working.

Youngpeopleare engaging more openly, adults areparticipating in discussions, and conversationspreviouslyavoided arebeginning to take place.

“There is somethingpowerfulabout learning throughplay,”Stierlinsaid. “Whenyou remove thepressureofformalteachingpeopleshowup differently. They listen,theyask questions, and they leavefeelingmoreequipped.”

Lookingahead,Taboobreaker SA is seeking

to expand itsnetwork of partners,funders andcommunity leaderstoscale theinitiative further

Thegoalisclear:toensurenoyoung person growsupwithout theknowledge they need to make informed decisionsabout theirhealth andwell-being.

Karateacademyhostsa ‘successful’FamilyDay

KEANANHARMSE

TheFalse BayKarateAcademy hosted aspirited Family Dayfundraiseratthe Cape Town Cricket Club in PlumsteadonSunday12April,bringing martialartists,performersand families together in support of an upcoming trip to Namibia. Although attendance waslower than expected, theevent delivereda vibrantprogramme filled with energy,entertainment andstrongcommunity spirit

Organisers opened participationtokarate clubsacrossthe region,highlightingbothunity andongoing challenges within themartial arts community

Theclub, establishedin1999 by thelatesensei William Jordaan,has nowbecomea sanctuary foryouth of theCapeFlats

Sensei Hilton Jordaan,William’s sonand a martialartist, also joined theacademy to expand itsoperational reach. Support from fellow practitionersadded to thesense of collaboration,withinstructors from Belhar Kyokushin Dojo andsenseiHerberfromanother Kyokushin dojo attending. Theirinvolvement underscored theimportanceofworking together to grow thesport andsupport youngathletes, said Jordaan Entertainmentprovedtobea majorhighlight throughout theday.Those attendingenjoyed live performances from localbands,including thetalentedyouth groupRAM andreggaeband Sons of Sallassi,whose lively sethad thecrowd on theirfeet.Guitarist Desnin engagedthe

audience earlyonwithsing-alongfavourites, setting afestive tone forthe day. Theprogramme also featured aperformance by theChristian dancegroup Limitless, along with aliveDJwho kept theatmosphereupbeat. Martialartsdemonstrationscaptivatedspectators,withskilledperformersfromthe Praying Mantis Club showcasing theirexpertise,supported by Shihan Cobe from KenpoKarate. Families were well cateredfor,witha range of activities designed to entertainall ages Children enjoyedjumping castles, bumper cars andsumowrestling,while food stalls createda relaxed, festival-likeenvironment forvisitors. Despitethe modest turnoutfeedback from both vendorsand thosewho came wasoverwhelmingly positive.Not OutCafédescribed theday as “anamazing eventthatsimplyneeds more publicity”,reflecting acommonviewthat theconcept holdsstrongpotential Whilenumbers maynot have metexpectations, theFamilyDay fundraiserhighlighted the resilience andcommitmentofthe academy. It notonlyraisedsupport forits Namibiatripbut also reinforced thepower of community-driven initiatives.

Organisers said they hadtaken valuable lessons from theexperienceand were determinedtogrowthe eventinfuture, with theaim of reaching awider audience andcreatingeven greaterimpact.

. Formoreinformation or to makeacontribution contact HiltonJordaan on 074994 9785

Taxiprotesters causedelays

KEANANHARMSE

Apeaceful protestbymembers of theSteenberg andRetreat taxi associations caused temporary road closures in Prince George Drive on Monday 13 April, as operatorsraised concerns aboutcrime andsafetywithin theindustry.

Thepoliceconfirmed that thedemonstration remained orderlyand sawparticipantshand over memorandumsofdemandtothree local police stations

Grievancedsincludedallegationsofextortion affecting taxi operators, as well as calls forincreasedpolicevisibilityattaxiranks to protect both driversand commuters.

Police spokesperson ConstNdakheGwala said thematterisbeing reviewed andthat“police management will engage with theparties concerned regardingtheir issues.”

“The matteriscurrently underreviewand police management will engage with theparties concerned, regardingtheir issues,” said Gwala.

Thepoliceconfirmed that thememorandums have been received andthatthe concerns raised

ISSUESHIGHLIGHTEDWERE ALLEGATIONSOFEXTORTION AFFECTINGTAXIS

arebeing assessed.

Trafficdisruptions were reported during the morningasprotest action impacted several majorroutes.

Accordingtothe City’s TrafficServices spokesperson KevinJacobs, road closures were implementedalong keyintersections on Prince George Drive, includingatMilitaryRoad, RetreatRoad, HekRoad, 6thAvenueand 8th Avenue

Theclosures, whichwereput in placeto ensure public safety andmanagetraffic flow during theprotest,resultedindelaysfor motoriststravelling throughthe area during peak hours. However, thesituation wasbrought undercontrol,and allaffectedroads were reopened shortlyafter 09:00. People’s Post reachedout to theMuizenberg Community Police Forumbut they couldnot respondbeforethe time of publication.

Commuters were left stranded whilst thepeacefulprotest by members of two taxi associations caused temporary road closures in Steenbergand RetreatonMonday 13 April. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

LET’SACTATHOMEATKENILWORTHCENTRE

TheCityofCape Town’sLet’sACT at Home exhibit, an interactivepop-upfocusedonenergy-saving and climate-smartliving, is nowondisplay at Kenilworth Centre from today(21 April) until Monday 27 April. Theexhibit forms part of theCapeTown Future Energy Festival and aims to showthe public practical ways to reduce household energy useand cut monthlycosts.PreviouslyhostedatCanal Walk and LibertyPromenadeMallinMitchells Plain, theinstallation offers hands-on demonstrations and information to help Capetonians adopt more sustainablepractices at home.Open to the public at thecentre’sG1entrance, oppositeStudio88, the pop-up invites visitors to engagewith energy-efficient solutions and learn howsmallchanges can makeameasurabledifferencetobothexpenses and environmental impact

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

BollywoodTimesat ArtscapeTheatre

YouthShakespeareatBaxter

The2026Shakespeare SchoolsFestivalSouth Africa (SSFSA)isbackfor its16thseason, once againbringinga bold,youth-driventake on Shakespearetothe Baxter Theatrefrom Wednesday6 to Saturday 23 May.

What makesthisfestivalstand outisits fresh approach to Shakespeare, wherelearners, many of them performing on aprofessional stage forthe firsttime, take on full-length playsand rework them into sharp, high-energy30to 45-minuteproductions

This year’s Cape Town legwillfeature 42 schools, each bringing theirown interpretation, styleand voicetothe stage.

join avibrant community of schoolsincluding De La BatSchool,Pioneer School,and Vista Nova,all contributing to afestivalthatcelebrates awiderange of talents, perspectives and experiences. Patronscan expect bold choices, unexpected twists andplentyofcreativerisk-taking.Whether it’s amodernspinon Romeoand Juliet or avisually striking take on Macbeth, these productionsprove that Shakespeareisanything butoutdated.

Beyond thestage,the festival also supports schoolsthrough Master Classesand workshops, andbyproviding resourcesand guidance from

ZeitzMOCAA showsyouth art

KEANANHARMSE

LearnersfromSteenberg

PrimarySchoolare stepping into thespotlight at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA),where theircreativitywillformpart of amajor newchildren’sbook exhibition openinglater this month.

Through hands-on artsessionsled by themuseum’s BMWCentrefor ArtEducation,these youngparticipants createdtheir owninterpretationsofcharactersand stories, some experiencing artmaking forthe very firsttime.

Theirworkwillbeshowcased alongsideprofessional illustrationsin TheStories that RanAway,a newexhibition andbook launch taking place on Saturday 25 April, highlighting Africanstorytelling andinspiring anew generation of readersand artists.The eventmarks thesecondinstalmentof themuseum’schildren’sbook series, following asuccessful debutin2024.

This latest editionintroduces threenew titles Nkanyamba, One World, OneFamily,and WhyFire andWater AreEnemies

WrittenbyMeridianBerndt, the booksare broughttolifebyillustrators Isabelle Grobler, JaxLamb, Vix Venter andZhi Zulu

Thestories draw on Africanmyths, legendsand creation narratives, exploringhumanity’srelationshipwith

SEVENBOOKSHIGHLIGHT RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF AFRICANSTORYTELLING

thenatural worldand encouraging youngreaders to reflectontheir role in protecting theenvironment

An accompanying exhibition,also titled TheStories that RanAway,will showcase original artworks from all sevenbooks in theseries.

Locatedinthe museum’s underground tunnels on Level1,the exhibition runs untilSaturday7 June and inviteschildrenintoanimaginative world filledwithmythicalcreatures andvivid storytelling

Akey featureofthe exhibition is theinclusion of artworks createdby Steenberg learners.Through facilitated sessionsled by museum educators, learners will interpretcharacters andthemesfromthe stories, with some experiencing art-making for the firsttime. LieslHartman,Head of theBMW Centre forArt Education,emphasisedthe importance of representation.“At theheart of this children’s book series is thelegacy we hope to buildbyprofiling stories from Africa fora youngergeneration. We want children to seethemselves reflectedinthese narrativesand to take prideinstories that originateon thecontinent.” Theday’s programme begins with amedia previewand paneldiscussion at 10:00, offering insights into theproject’s creative and educationalvision. Authors, illustrators andindustryprofessionals will reflectonthe collaborative process

andthe importance of nurturinga love of readingamong children

From 15:00the museum transforms into an interactivespace forfamilies, featuringa guesttalkbyCapeTownbasedUgandan author Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa Performances by Magnet Theatre alumni will animatecharactersfrom thebooks throughmovementand play,alongside installationsand activities throughout themuseum. Visitors will also have theopportunity to purchase thebooksand attend asigning session with thecreative team.The projectbuildsonthe original four titles in theseries, which explored themes of creation,transformationand journeyacrossthe continent. Together theseven books highlightthe richness anddiversity of Africanstorytelling traditions In partnershipwithAfrican Literary Agency,Zeitz MOCAAaimstoexpand theglobalreach of theserieswhile amplifying Africanvoicesinchildren’s literature.Additional public programmeswillfollow, includinga Teachers’Walkabout in Mayand a “Night at theMuseum” experience forchildrenduringthe June school holidays.Through initiativeslikethis, theBMW Centre forArt Education continuestostrengthenconnections between art, literacy andcommunity, fosteringcreativityand cultural pride amongyoung audiences.

NGOofferslifelineforstrugglingteenmoms

THULANIMAGAZI

Astaggering5 269teenage pregnancieswere recorded at healthcare facilities ownedbythe WesternCapeDepartmentofHealthand Wellness across theCapemetropole between April last year andFebruarythisyear.

This is significantly higher than the1 230cases recorded at theCityofCapeTownfacilities last year.These figuresrevealworryingtrend as theprovinceand thecountry continue to battle thescourge of teenagepregnancy

Howeverone organisation,Intyatyambo YesizweTeenMom Organisation,isworking tirelesslytohelpthe youngmothers in various communities to builda brighter futurefor themselves andtheir children whiletryingto reverseanadolescenttrend that is on therise. City’s Maycomemberfor community services andhealthFrancineHighamsaidthe City’s figuresshowa 1,2% increase from theprevious year

“Thisincreaseinteenage pregnanciesforms part of atrend that hasbeen observed over the past fewyears,” explainedHighamrecently. “These pregnanciescan be at higher risk for medicalcomplications andhavea significant socioeconomicimpactfor both themothers and theirfamilies.”

Establishedin2019, IntyatyamboYesizwe workswithteenagemothers,aged13to22by equipping them with essentiallifeskills,confidencebuildingand support so they canthrive independentlyand raisehappy andhealthy childre.

Amongother services,the organisation offers stress management andemotional support, career guidance,life-skills training as well as telephoneand in-personcounselling to the youngmothers IntyatyamboYesizwe worksand conducts sessions in variouscommunities,including Khayelitsha, Philippi,Delft,Mfuleniand Mitchells Plainand recently startedworking in Gqeberha NtombesizweBasso,founder of theorganisation, said many younggirls continuedto suffer at home andinsociety whenever they fell pregnant.She said they areoften ridiculedby theirown parentsand relatives, whichbreaks them emotionallyand mentally.Mostofthese youngmothers often find themselves betweena rock anda hard placeastheytry to rebuildtheir

lives, Bassosaid.

In an interviewwith People’s Post Basso said shecouldn’tjustfoldher arms andwatch as many youngpeoplefellpregnant, in some instanceswithnosupport or meanstoraise their newborns

As avolunteer counselloratFamiliesSouth Africa (Famsa)and aSocialSciencesGraduate with Majors in Psychology andCommunication, Basso witnessedyoung motherssitting with theirchildrenonstreetcorners andpavements in herimmediatecommunities of Mandalay, Khwezi andBongweni. Shedecided to take action whilevisitinga clinic in Mitchells Plain as aFamsa volunteer

During thevisit Basso sawteen moms who had“lost hope”and requestedtotalktothem, sheexplained

Whileshe hada session with thegroup sherealised most of them were tooembarrassedand shytospeak.“Iexplained my purposetothem, andasI gotdeeper into theirstories Irealised some of them hadnofamilysupport.”

Basso learnedthistrend prevailedonvisitingvarious clinicsaroundCapeTown, which inducedher to find an organisation geared towardsarrestingthe trend, butalsotogivethe necessary supportwhereveritwas needed.She establishedvarious clubsindifferentcommunities.The clubsoffer teen mothersanopportunity to speakopenlyabout theirchallenges anda chance to rebuildtheir lives.

Withoutany financialsupport Basso uses her ownmoney to fundthe programme.She also relies heavilyonvarious community facilities “Weuse resourcesaroundustoequip these youngmoms. Iidentified thelibrary as asafe spacefor them.Ithas resourcesand there they have access to books. So we liaisedwith thelibraries.Theyalsohaveinternetfacilities andother useful resources. We invitedpeople, includingcouncillors,tomotivatethese young women. “Weteach them to be independentand notbeashamed of theirbackground. We also focusonmentalhealthand invitedclinicians to work with them.The vision is to help ensure theirlifechances andspirits do notdiffer from thoseoftheir contemporaries.Weenvision afuturefor them andwantthemtocontinue dreaming.”

Shepointed outthatvarious factors, including poverty, arefactors in most of thepregnancy

cases. Theyoungestchild Bassoworkedwith was12years old.

“These arerapecases andoften we letthe lawtakeiscourse.”She encouraged parents to be open with theirchildren. “Weasparents must be friendswithour children.Wemustbe parentswho talk freely with them.Wemust educatethemabout sexand therisks associated with it.”

ChumaMakhala (20),a youngmom from Mfuleni, joined IntyatyamboYesizwe when she was five-monthspregnantand gave birthon Thursday 26 March. Shepraised theorganisation forthe crucialroleitplayed. Sheinitially wanted to abortthe foetus.However,numeroussessionswiththe organisation changedher mind “I realised therewereother girlswithmore seriousproblemsthanmine.”

Makhalasaidthe organisation boostedher confidencefor shehad people to turn to.“Iwas emotionally drained, my relationship with my mother wasnon-existent. Iwantedtoabort, butthe organisation encouraged me to keep thechild.I wasalsopreparedtoleave my baby at thehospital.”Thankstothe support she received from IntyatyamboYesizwe todayshe is ahappy mother building astrongbondwith hernewborn child. Milisa Masiso (23),another youngmotherand an alumna of theorganisation,praised Teen Moms forchangingher life.She is onewho oftenmotivates theyoung mothers. Shesaidshe facedmanychalleng-

es,including lack of support from thosefrom whom sheneeded it most Things begantochangeafter Masiso joined theorganisation. “Besides thesense of belongingfrombeing part of thegroup andother nice packsthatcomes with it themainfocus is to promoistobeabletopromote personal growth andindependenceaswellasempower forthe youngmothers to be able to providefor themselves as well as theirlittleonesthrough employment of furtheringtheir studiesorstartingtheir ownbusinesses.”

MoniqueJohnstone,spokespersonfor the WesternCapeDepartmentofHealthand Wellness, said they welcomeany form of intervention to root outteenagepregnancy

“Weappreciate thevital role played by community organisations, families,and educators in raisingawareness andempoweringteenagers to make informed decisionsabout theirsexual andreproductivehealth. Thedepartment continuestostrengthenpreventionand support efforts throughaccessiblesexualhealth, contraception, andfamilyplanning services,including dedicatedYouth Zonesatour clinics. These spaces provideconfidential, youth-friendly care,offeringsexualhealth, mental health,and broaderwellnesssupport to ensure teenagers arenot left behind andare supported to thrive,” shesaid.

. Formoreinformation,or to help,contact Bassoon063 0074609 or emailher at ntombile. basso@gmail.com.

that passes through hands.