COVID-19 pandemic has led to a drastic increase in the
number of teenage pregnancies in South Africa. Pregnancies among adolescent
girls remained a global problem that time.
According to google,
an estimated 21 million girls aged 15–19 years in developing countries become
pregnant and about 12 million of them give birth every year.
COVID-19 severely hit South Africa in 2020 and teenage
pregnancies resulted in a high rate where the country recorded an increased
rate with more figures in relation to pregnancy.
picture sourced from: google
Ms. Lorrain Ledwaba, a professional nurse mentioned that
this was partly due to the difficulty of accessing contraceptives, which was
greater during the COVID-19 lockdown.
She further added that the unforeseen pandemic hit the
country unprepared and caused the country to shut down, it left many with
nothing to do as schools were on hold for a while which led many into mischief.
Comfort Legodi who is a teenage mother that birthed during
COVID-19 said that not having anything to do during lockdown kept them closer
to their partners.
“Lockdown honestly
did us more harm than good, right now I am a mother of two kids which are 6
months apart at the age of 19 years old,” sadly said Comfort Legodi. https://on.soundcloud.com/NAtonAyJy688i7GU7
Siblings birthed during COVID19
Many believed that the jump in the number of teenage
pregnancies was due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and school closures,
which kept girls out of school.
Ms Legodi, Comfort’s mother poured her heart out, “It was
difficult for me seeing my child’s future falling apart just before she could
discover herself, for me at the age of 17 she was still an infant it’s just
unfortunate I couldn’t monitor her movements as well as her doings.”
COVID-19 pandemic was a pain to society because it was
complicating the efforts of reducing teenage pregnancies. It has caused an immeasurable
disruption to every aspect of people’s lives.
Teenage mom who gave birth twice during COVID19
Learning having been suspended, schools being closed
indefinitely, mischievous behaviour was left at hand for many. Religious
meetings and worship programs were also affected similarly meaning there was no
more youth programs in the religious institutions. Many did whatever they saw
fit as they were too free and had less commitments.
DED Soshanguve Campus had a spring day celebration event on
Friday the 09th of September 2022 at TCE stadium. Together Maebela, the admin assistance
of DED Soshanguve campus said that they decided to do a spring day celebration
simply because of the season.
“We also wanted to do something that would cool the
students down before they start with their assessment,” said Together Maebela.
DED is an extra curriculum that each semester does
activities that entertain students simply to give them a break from academics.
Students came in numbers to the event to welcome spring in
style. Different games were at hand. Games such as water slides, balloon games,
colour splash and others were played.
Onthatile Mosako, DED Ambassador mentioned that the event
was all about fun and welcoming spring. The immense highlight of the entire
event was when the students participated in different games. When students were
really distressing, it showed that they aligned to the motive of the event.
The event was without any hesitation a success, a bit of
disappointment was when the system pump could not operate, that resulted as a
failure for setting the water slides. But at a moment later, everything was on
the right track.
Students at hand for flour game
“So far we are still enjoying the games, we started with
balloon game then we came to colour splash, we are still going to do many more
others until the sunset,” excitedly said Xebile Sithole, DED supporter.
Lerato Mothoa, one of the participants mentioned that Unfamiliar
faces were seen, different people were interacting, and memories were made. She
went further to say that the event was one of the greatest, it was a good
destruction, and it was honestly fun.
With a smile on his face, Towers Resident student Ashley
Ntuli said that apart from the games, the music was on another level. “I
honestly enjoyed the playlist; it was such a vibe and we indeed had fun,” he
added.
Truly speaking fun time is a need, from the event I
realised the value of taking some time off academics and distress a bit. The
games were so therapeutic and heart-warming.
A friendly netball match between Towers Res mates which are
CCT Team A and CCT Team B resulted with a scoreboard in favour of CCT Team A
with greater points against CCT Team B with lesser points. The match took place
on the 17th of September 2022 at Soshanguve TUT North Campus.
Mr Archie, CCT Resident Manager mentioned that the game is part
of their annual events at CCT for sports day. “The purpose of the day is to get together with the
students and have fun in terms of different sports activities and award the
winners with trophies and medals,” he added.
Mr Archie CCT Res Manager
During the first half there was only one injury, which was
from one of CCT Team B players. Both teams had it hard during the first half.
No matter how tough the game was, loopholes were created and CCT Team A was
able to score 15 points while CCT Team B scored 3 points.
Competing Teams, CCT Team A&B
Bridget Mphago, one of the supporters said that CCT Team A
is the best and she believes they will win the game. “I came to the game
because I have seen them play before, I am just here to witness today’s
triumph,” said Bridget Mphago.
There were no injuries sustained during the second half.
The match ended with scoreboard in favour of CCT Team A with 27 points against
CCT Team B with 14 points. Nicole Langa, player of the match mentioned that the
game was fun, at least they got a chance to exercise, and people got to know a
bit about netball.
Rewards of the game, Medals and Cups
Xolisile Mbedu from CCT Team B was awarded with a medal for
being the best Goal Defence while Nicole Langa from CCT Team A received a
trophy for being the player of the match. Lerato Mphago and Sanele Mkhwanase
from opposite teams both received medals for being good wing attackers.
Theron Ntimbane (21) from Pimville, Soweto in Gauteng is a
young fashion entrepreneur and the founder of Dirty clothing brand. Dirty Never
Clean SA is a local brand with quality clothes that connects people with street
wear culture. It was established in 2018.
“Our mission as Dirty clothing brand is to connect all the
generations with the street wear culture and give confidence to people with
self-doubt through our pieces,” said Theron Ntimbane.
Dirty Never Clean SA started as a movement, it was just a
small group of young people and then later turned into a business. Theron explains Dirty Never Clean SA mission together with the vision and how it came about https://on.soundcloud.com/oAkiZaeE3Ed1DbHS
The young man is a second-year student in the faculty of
Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria campus. He mentioned
that their first two t-shirts were printed in 2018 February with the aim of
printing and wearing, not printing, and selling.
Dirty Male Clothing
He further added that their business triggered after they
went on a sport occasion at their school where it was just the two of them with
the printed t-shirts and people started asking about the name and the brand.
From then they started printing and selling, and the business flourished.
‘We are in a mission to improve a Black child’s dreams,
goals and wishes.’ Dirty clothing is sloganed never clean. It is locally made
but globally driven. It is never clean, but the message is clear.
“My grandfather was artistic, and that is how he put a
bread on the table. Realising that I take after him in terms of being artistic,
I grew up to nurture the skill and I later transformed it into business,” Theron
Ntimbane outlined.
Fashion industry is one of the greatest worlds one could
ever come across, as challenging as it may be, it gives the oomph to still show
up until you feel satisfied of your work. There is a lot of criticism and
competition, but dedication pay off.
"As a male person into this industry, especially a newbie
like me I have already been criticised and looked down at. But I held my head
high and allowed discipline to take over when motivation runs out. I remember
being asked why I would be the founder of such a nasty brand. It did not hurt
much because I know the reason behind. I want a rare thing. Something unique
something unknown," said Theron Ntimbane.
The biggest achievement for Dirty Never Clean SA clothing
is for it become globally driven, to reach places with our pieces.
Young and old people should know of this brand. Dirty Never Clean SA got an
opportunity of appearance on amapiano song called Labantwana ama uber by Miano
in 2019 and the brand got recognised.
Dirty clothing for all(unisex)
In 2020 other appearances graced our brand via music videos.
Then we started with the photoshoot and real work took place. The brand got
love massively, and recently we scored ourselves an interview at Tshwane FM
where our work was acknowledged, and love was shared.
Ronewa Ndou, the Marketing director stated that this is one
industry that requires one to always be in the field, the more the brand gets
recognition the more orders they take.
“It is exciting seeing what we can do and how we can make
people feel with our pieces. Seeing our customers at their happiest aligns with
our motive, it shows we touched the lives,” he said.
“I got into fashion because of the artistic skill that I
nurtured from an early age. I am a kasi gent who now believe that dreams are
valid because now I am living to manifest it. In five-years’ time, I see Dirty
Never Clean SA owning a retail store with different quality clothing branded
Dirty, sloganed It is never clean, but the message is clear,” Theron Ntimbane
concluded.
Below is a YouTube video link of the brand Dirty Never Clean SA in different clothing pieces.
Aga sechaba beneficiaries during one of the development programmes.
Aga Sechaba
community project is a program for the people by the people. It is a Non-Profit
Organisation registered under social development. It specialises with
recovering drugs addicts. The project is based in Ga- Rankuwa, Pretoria.
Aga Sechaba conveys
the following services to its beneficiaries, drugs and substance abuse
awareness, prevention of addiction, helps prepare for rehab and after care
program.
There are skills development programmes such as computer,
security training, life skills training and nutrition program.
Nutrition program has just been introduced recently. The
program offers free daily meals from Monday to Friday to all the beneficiaries.
picture sourced from: Aga Sechaba Facebook page
Karabo Bokaba, Aga Sechaba computer instructor said that he
is assisting at Aga Sechaba mainly because he has been through what the Aga
Sechaba beneficiaries are going through.
“I want these people to better their lives and be able to
sustain themselves. I believe if I was able to do it, they too can,” he added.
Aga Sechaba gives people a second chance at life. Benjamin
Khasi, who is now a recovered drug addict and a support group leader mentioned
that since he has been in the shoes of drug substances, he figured it would be
best to have a support group.
The support group was initiated to support those having
difficulties with drugs throughout the journey of bettering themselves.
“Working at Aga
Sechaba is giving me the oomph because it is reintegrating me back to the
society. And I am hoping to help those in need as I have also been helped,”
said Benjamin Khasi.
picture sourced from: Aga Sechaba Facebook page Recovering drug addicts attending the support group
One of the beneficiaries in Aga Sechaba shortly shared his
journey, “I used drug substances for quite some time, I have been on weed,
crystal and others. I relapsed more than six times and Aga Sechaba helped me
and took me to rehab. I feel a lot better now and I am still attending support
group at Aga Sechaba with a hope to fully recover,” said Tsakane Shilenge.
Not only is Aga Sechaba offering its services, but they
help those who have fully recovered integrate with the community and help them
seek job opportunities and assist them in terms of obtaining certain skills.
Karabo Bokaba, computer instructor at Aga Sechaba shortly explains how Aga Sechaba community project was initiated. Below is the link:
so women are really dying in the hands of people who are supposed to be the protectors? Is this what this world has come to? What has become of us as a nation? What are we teaching the upcoming generation?should we fear love instead of cherishing it?(on a doubtful thought) does it even exist? The so called "love"? (I wonder). A generation full of sorrow.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
