The Clinix Health Group observed International Mandela Day by going back to its roots in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg – where the group’s first private hospital, Clinix Botshelong-Empilweni was officially opened in 1994.
To mark this historic milestone, Clinix took its Substance Use awareness campaign to two schools in Vosloorus, as part of the ongoing community outreach activities that aim to inform and engage young people about the negative impact of substance use disorders and addiction.
Leading the outreach programme were campaign ambassadors: former Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy striker, Bernard Parker; Banyana Banyana legend, Portia Modise and former Olympic long jumper, Luvo Manyonga. The ambassadors were joined by two graduates (recovering patients and graduates) from the Clinix Solomon ‘Stix’ Morewa Wellness Programme, who also shared their lived experiences of struggling with addiction.
First stop was at Abinala Primary School, where young learners were educated about the dangers of substance use and some of the factors that lead most people to start using drugs at an early age. The ambassadors took turns to share their personal stories, with the overall messaging focusing on prevention and the importance of saying “no” to substance use.
The final stop was at Lethulwazi Secondary School, where learners engaged in open discussions with the ambassadors, asking questions and receiving valuable advice. Learners were further provided with resources for students who may need help or more information.
In addition to the information sharing session, the Clinix Health Group donated much-needed school shoes to the learners of Abinala Primary School, ensuring they have the basic necessities to attend school comfortably and confidently. Clinix also opened a fully equipped sickbay at both schools, providing a vital resource for learners’ health and well-being.
According to the 2021 World Drug Report, the population most at risk of using drugs are young people aged between 15-to-34 years and the average age for drug dependency in South Africa is a staggering 12-years with 50% of South African teens drinking alcohol*.
For former World Champion and Olympic long jumper, Luvo Manyonga, the schools outreach programme resonated more with him as he started using illegal substances while he was still in high school. “I started using when I was 17-years old, back in 2008 while I was still at school. Curiosity got the better of me when I saw some of my schoolmates smoking crystal meth at the school’s toilets. I wanted to fit in with the ‘cool crowd’ and so I asked to have a taste, which of course wasn’t a once-off,” shared Manyonga.
“I’m highly encouraged by the interactive sessions we had at both schools. The learners were openly engaging with us, and I hope our visit will help those who are seeking help as well as those who haven’t started to learn from my experience and be discouraged altogether from getting into drugs and using substances.”
My own road to recovery is ongoing and I’m grateful to Clinix for this opportunity and the support they’ve offered me. I encourage everyone who needs help with their addiction to contact or visit any of their nearby Clinix hospitals across Gauteng,” added Manyonga.
Clinix Solomon Stix Morewa Memorial Hospital specialises in wellness care, physical rehabilitation, as well as chronic and acute mental health. Their mental health offering provides specialist inpatient and outpatient treatment for a range of mental health conditions including substance use disorders and addiction, anxiety and depression, bipolar mood disorder and ageing disorders. The hospital also provides individual and group treatment through various programmes for adults and adolescents.
Matshepo Majola, Clinix Chief Corporate Services Officer said: “These two school activations are our way of honouring International Mandela Day by giving back to schools in communities where we operate. As indicated by the report, substance use disorders and addiction starts at primary school level, so it was important for us to spend this day educating our youth on the dangers associated with these substances. To ensure that we achieve the positive impact and the success that we desire, we decided to use our campaign ambassadors – sport stars that are role models to most of the country’s youth to engage with these school learners who are both at primary and high school level.”
