AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON ALCOHOL RISKS HELD AT MPUMUZA CLINIC

By Precious Mupenzi

• The Department of Social Development (DSD) is joining the global observation of World No Alcohol Day on 3 October 2024, aligning the event with Social Development Month, which focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles and the role of the family in South Africa’s growth.
• In a lead-up campaign, the DSD conducted an awareness session in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, to educate the community about the dangers of alcohol consumption, particularly during pregnancy, while also addressing issues like substance abuse and gender-based violence.
• The campaign, supported by collaborative efforts with local municipalities and health facilities, aims to empower individuals and families to make informed choices to protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and young people, from the harmful effects of alcohol.

As the world prepares to observe World No Alcohol Day on 2 October, themed “Say No to Alcohol and Selling Alcohol to Minors is a Crime,” the Department of Social Development (DSD) will join this global initiative on Thursday, 3 October 2024, in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This commemoration is especially significant as it coincides with Social Development Month, which this year focuses on “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth: Towards Reigniting the Role of the Family.” The focus on family roles underscores the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly the youth. The Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, officially launched Social Development Month last Friday at the Irene Country Club in Pretoria, highlighting the department’s commitment to these crucial issues.

In the lead-up to the main event, the department held an awareness session today at Mpumuza Clinic in Sweetwaters, focusing on educating the community about the dangers of alcohol consumption, particularly for pregnant women.

During the session, alarming cases of teenage pregnancy came to light, including a 15-year-old Grade 10 learner who is seven months pregnant and a 17-year-old mother of twins. The discussion not only addressed the risks of alcohol use but also broader issues such as substance abuse, gender-based violence, and femicide, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding.

Ms Noncedo Ndlovu, Acting Programme Manager for Restorative Services within the DSD under uMgungundlovu District, stressed the harmful effects of substance abuse on families, noting its links to crime and harm within households.

This campaign is part of a collaborative effort involving the DSD, the Provincial DSD, and the Msunduzi Municipality, all working together to build a healthier community.

One of the attendees, Sinenhlanhla Zondi, 22, shared her personal experience, explaining that she had been drinking alcohol but stopped immediately after discovering her pregnancy. As a first-time mother, she expressed her commitment to not exposing her unborn child to the risks associated with alcohol, acknowledging the potential effects on the baby. Sinenhlanhla urged other pregnant women to quit drinking, cautioning that some may be tempted to follow peers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy and delivered healthy babies. She reminded them that such luck is not guaranteed, and the consequences of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can be devastating. “The life of a child is more important than alcohol,” she emphasised.

Ms Motshabi Nkoane, DSD Social Work Policy Manager responsible for Substance Abuse, echoed these concerns. She highlighted the troubling trend of pregnant women consuming “umqombothi” – a South African traditional beer made from maize – due to the false belief that it will result in a more beautiful and lighter-skinned baby.

Through this engagement, the Department of Social Development aims to empower individuals and families to make informed decisions, ultimately working towards a safer and healthier environment for all.