CHURCHES OFFER PRAYER AND HOPE TO RECOVERING SUBSTANCE USERS AS TSWA DAAR! CAMPAIGN GAINS MOMENTUM

By Sipho Ncube.

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development continues to support individuals in recovery through the ongoing Tswa Daar! Anti-Substance Abuse Campaign.
• Faith-based organisations joined hands with the Department to offer prayers and encouragement to recovering substance users at the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre.
• The collaboration underscores the importance of community, faith, and holistic support in helping individuals rebuild their lives.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) continues to walk alongside individuals rebuilding their lives through the Tswa Daar! Anti-Substance Abuse Campaign, a flagship initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Yesterday, pastors from various churches and denominations across the province gathered at the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre to offer prayers and messages of hope to individuals undergoing rehabilitation. Many of the beneficiaries voluntarily admitted themselves during the mass registration drive held shortly after the launch of the Tswa Daar! campaign ten days ago.
The Tswa Daar! campaign is a bold, coordinated effort to intensify the fight against substance abuse and strengthen existing departmental programmes such as Ke Moja and Bakae.
Among those sharing their testimonies was 32-year-old Neo Kotana from Soshanguve, who expressed deep gratitude for a second chance at life.
“It is by God’s grace that I’m still alive. I have been smoking crystal meth. Most of us come from troubled communities, and all we ask for now is forgiveness from those we have hurt,” he said.
Similarly, 28-year-old Siphiwe Mazabane from Vosloorus reflected on his ongoing struggle with addiction and his determination to start anew.
“This is my third time here because I’ve relapsed before. Losing my mother two years ago made things worse, and being homeless led me back to drugs. I’m grateful to be given another chance to start afresh. It’s not easy out there, especially when one has a criminal record,” he shared.
Leading the prayer session, Pastor Sidibe from the Presbyterian Church in Mamelodi encouraged the recovering users to remain steadfast in their faith as they work towards a drug-free future.
“We pray that the Almighty gives you strength and willpower to overcome addiction and live a peaceful, purposeful life. In the future, such sessions should also include families, so that healing and forgiveness can take place on both sides,” he said.
The Department continues to emphasise that recovery extends beyond detoxification, with psychosocial support, skills development, and family reintegration forming key pillars of the rehabilitation process.
The spiritual engagement forms part of the broader Tswa Daar! recovery support programme, which integrates government, faith-based organisations, and community structures to provide a holistic and sustainable response to substance abuse.