FOCUS ON YOUR STUDIES, DSD URGES STUDENTS AT EHLANZENI TVET COLLEGE

• The Department of Social Development’s substance abuse and gender-based violence prevention campaign continues to reach tertiary institutions across the country
• The department spoke to students on the Mthimba campus of the Ehlanzeni TVET College in Mpumalanga on 12 February 2025.
• Students are urged to focus on their studies and stay away from drugs.

The Department of Social Development has urged students at the Ehlanzeni TVET (Technical And Vocational Education And Training) College to take their studies seriously and stay away from drugs.

The department was addressing 300, mostly first-year students, on the Mthimba campus as part of its nationwide substance abuse and gender-based violence prevention campaign at institutions of higher learning.

The campaign aims to educate young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse and create awareness about gender-based violence, encouraging them to prevent and report such incidents on campus.

The interactive session included structured presentations and quizzes, which kept students actively participating in the discussions the whole time.

During her presentation, Motshabi Nkoane from the Department of Social Development explained the different stages of drug addiction and cautioned students that drug addiction starts with the experimental use of recreational drugs. Other drugs have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly, she added.

Students were also informed of available services to assist those suffering from substance use disorders.

“It is often said that prevention is better than cure, and this is more appropriate when it comes to substance use and substance use disorders. The best thing you can do for yourselves, and for the sake of your health, is to stay away completely from experimenting with drugs in the first place,” said Nkoane.

The department’s substance abuse and gender-based violence prevention campaign continues in Mpumalanga, with visits to the Ehlanzeni TVET College’s Barberton campus on 13 February 2025 and the University of Mpumalanga on 14 February 2025.