The Department will create a platform to engage the youth on issues of human trafficking, alcohol and drug abuse through a Sports Against Crime Tournament in Namakwa District as part of Mandela Day build-up programmes. 

 

The sporting activities that aim to unite the youth and showcase their talents will be preceded by a 5km walk led by officials of the Department, as a stand against all forms of abuse and trafficking. 

 

The activities were inspired by Nelson Mandela’s drive and passion for protecting the wellbeing of our children and inspire change in our communities. 

Drug and alcohol abuse are social ills that are tarnishing communities and lives of both young and old people while human trafficking is a topic we need to engage communities on to raise awareness on the various forms of trafficking and how they unfold. 

 

The Department chose sports as a vehicle of communication as it is synonyms with bringing communities together irrespective of age, class, race or creed to offer the youth an alternative from criminal activities and highlight the importance of sports to parents. 

 

The sporting activities will unfold on Monday, 16 July in Pella, followed on 17 July by schools visits in Pofadder at Boesmanland High School and St Philomena Intermedium School in Onseepkans to share information on substance and alcohol abuse, and also on human trafficking. 

Following the schools visits, MEC Lebogang Motlhaping, responsible for Transport, Safety & Liaison will host a Community Imbizo for the larger community, accompanied by various stakeholders such as the SAPS and Department of Social Development. 

 

The Department will also have exhibitions at the Sports Against Crime Tournament and Community Imbizo to avail various stakeholders an opportunity to engage and share information with members of the communities. 

 

The Department’s main event will be on 18 July 2018 in Pofadder where we will refurbish two identified household affected by poverty and crime, and distribute soup to the larger community in the area.

 

The media is invited to the Department’s Mandela Day initiatives to help inspire change in our communities.   

 

Programmes Details:
5Km Walk & Sports Against Crime Tournament
Date:  Monday, 16 JULY 2018
Area:  Pella (Brak Stadium)
Time:  09:00

 

Date:  17 July 2018
Area:  Pofadder & Onseepkans
Time:  08:00

 

Mandela Day Households Activities
Date:  18 July 2018
Area:  Pofadder
Time:  08:00

 

END.