DEPUTY MINISTER BOGOPANE-ZULU TO LAUNCH CHOMMY IN MANENBERG

• Dr. Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Deputy Minister of Social Development, partners with USAID to unveil the ChommY programme in Manenberg, Western Cape, post-State of the Nation address.
• ChommY, an SBC initiative for 10 to 14-year-olds, targets Manenberg’s coloured communities, grappling with gang violence and substance abuse.
• Aimed at fostering positive friendships, ChommY empowers youth to combat social challenges, stressing the importance of parental and community support, underlining the theme “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today.”

Following the recent State of the Nation address, Dr. Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, will join forces with USAID to inaugurate the ChommY programme in Manenberg, Western Cape, on Saturday, 10th February.

ChommY, short for “friend,” is a Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) initiative tailored for boys and girls aged 10 to 14 years. Manenberg, primarily inhabited by coloured communities on the Cape Flats, has long grappled with issues such as gang-related violence and drug abuse.

The programme aims to foster positive friendships among children in this age group, encouraging them to support each other and steer clear of risky behaviours and social challenges, including bullying. It provides a platform for youngsters to devise personal life plans, stressing the significance of parental and community support in facilitating informed decision-making.

Under the overarching theme of “Invest in my Future…Protect me Today,” ChommY seeks to equip young people with knowledge, skills, and empowerment to combat prevalent issues such as HIV infections, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy.

During the launch, Dr. Bogopane-Zulu will engage in dialogues with the children, providing them with a platform to share their social experiences and brainstorm solutions. Bokamoso, the programme’s mascot, will also interact with the children as they participate in indigenous games, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community engagement.