A BATTLE, A CHALLENGE, A MOTHER’S STORY…

By Precious Mupenzi

• Simangele Daniels, a 30-year-old mother from Sweetwaters, shared her powerful story of battling substance abuse for over 14 years at a youth dialogue organised by the Department of Social Development. Her addiction to woonga has severely impacted her life, including being expelled from school and relying on child support grants for her children.
• The community dialogue highlighted the growing concerns of substance abuse in Sweetwaters, particularly the increasing number of taverns and the accessibility of alcohol to minors. Local leaders and youth raised concerns about the lack of care facilities, mental health support, and opportunities for positive development.
• In response, the youth expressed their desire to lead campaigns to combat substance abuse and called for government intervention in providing more youth development programmes and infrastructure to offer alternatives to the lure of alcohol and drugs.

In the heart of Sweetwaters, a community ravaged by substance abuse, Simangele Daniels, 30, embodies both resilience and struggle. As a mother of two children, aged 12 and 7, Simangele has faced the devastating grip of addiction for over 14 years, profoundly affecting her and her family’s life.

During a recent youth dialogue organised by the Department of Social Development at Mputshini Hall, Simangele bravely shared her story. With World No Alcohol Day approaching on 3 October 2024, the event highlighted the pressing need to tackle the challenges of substance abuse in the area. “Enough is enough. I’m tired now; all I want is to be a good mother to my children,” Simangele said, reflecting on her long struggle with woonga.

Simangele’s addiction has derailed her life—she was expelled from school during her final year and relies on child support grants for her income. Her children have grown up witnessing her battle, and she knows the impact it’s had on them. “This decision is for my life and for them—they are everything to me,” she said. In response, the Department of Social Development has assigned social workers to assess her needs and connect her with a treatment centre.

Ms. Thola Ngcobo, Chairperson of the War Room for Ward 2, raised concerns about the increasing number of taverns in the area, attributing much of the substance abuse among young people to the easy availability of alcohol. The dialogue also exposed other community struggles, such as a lack of care facilities, unemployment, and mental health challenges, all contributing to the rise in substance abuse. The youth expressed their determination to lead campaigns and play a role in creating solutions for their community, proposing more government investment in youth development programmes and infrastructure to offer positive alternatives to addiction.