DAY THREE: INEP PLUS TRAINING FOR TRADITIONAL LEADERS

By Tholakele Makena

• Traditional leaders deepened their understanding of family, school and community-based prevention strategies to strengthen their role in early substance abuse intervention.
• A powerful presentation by Kgosi Kgomotso Madidimalo unpacked diverse family structures, parenting styles and risk factors that influence youth behaviour and vulnerability to substance use.
• Participants explored practical, community-driven solutions to real-life substance use challenges, reinforcing the importance of supportive family environments and consistent parental guidance in protecting children.

Day three of the Intersectoral Network on Early Prevention (INEP) Plus Training Programme for Traditional Leaders continued today at Anew Hotel OR Tambo in Benoni, with a strong focus on deepening the role of traditional leadership in community-based substance abuse prevention. Traditional leaders remain central to community life, especially in rural areas where they uphold cultural values, promote social cohesion, and guide community wellbeing. Their participation in early prevention efforts ensures that messages of awareness and support reach families in a meaningful and relevant way.
The day’s programme reinforced the importance of equipping traditional leaders with accurate information, practical tools and evidence-based approaches that strengthen drug demand reduction efforts. Through structured sessions, reflective dialogue, and collaborative exercises, participants continued to enhance their ability to guide families, engage young people, and contribute to the creation of safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
A key component of today’s training was the exploration of family, school, and community-based prevention strategies. Participants engaged in group discussions centred on real-life scenarios, examining common substance-use challenges and identifying practical solutions that could be implemented within their respective communities.
The discussions were enriched by a presentation delivered by Kgosi Kgomotso Madidimalo, Assistant Director: Capacity Building for Senior Traditional Leaders in Limpopo. Her presentation unpacked the dynamics of family structures and their influence on shaping young people’s behaviour. She outlined several types of families, including child-related families that prioritise caregiving responsibilities, patient-related families that include members requiring varying levels of support, and relationship-based families that often experience limited income and heightened vulnerability to social challenges. She emphasised that understanding these diverse structures is essential to developing targeted, effective prevention interventions.
Kgosi Kgomotso also highlighted different parental roles and parenting styles, including single parenting, co-parenting and adoptive parenting. She emphasised that, regardless of a family’s structure, consistent parental guidance, communication, and support are vital for strengthening resilience among young people and reducing their susceptibility to harmful behaviours.
A primary focus of the gathering was safeguarding children against substance abuse. Attendees stressed the need to provide facts about substance use risks and help children resist peer pressure. Consensus was reached that robust family involvement, exemplary behavior, and nurturing home environments are fundamental to effective prevention strategies.
Kgosi Kgomotso concluded by identifying various family-related risk factors that increase susceptibility to substance abuse. These factors include adult substance use in the presence of children, inconsistent emotional support, and household environments where children feel neglected or unheard. She emphasised that nurturing, supportive, and well-structured family settings are essential for effective prevention and the promotion of long-term wellbeing.