Rietgat SAPS, along with Botshilu Private Hospital, Serisha Medical Services, Hero Burn Solution, Crystal Clean Company, Mental Health, Ampath Laboratory, and MKP Radiology, converged at Soshanguve High School this morning to discuss social issues affecting students.
This initiative, which is a brainchild of Botshilu Private Hospital was aimed at addressing the social ills of about 400 Grade 12 learners who will be leaving the school at the end of the year.
Among the topics shared with these teenage learners, awareness of suicide, teenage pregnancy, alcohol, and substance abuse as well as cyberbullying took centre stage.
The Rietgat SAPS Social Crime Coordinator, Sergeant Tabea Shabangu captured the attention of learners teaching them about cyberbullying.
She told learners to be careful of who they follow and befriend on social media since cyberbullies target teenagers and the vulnerable. She further hinted to them to tell their elders as soon as they feel threatened, insulted, or intimidated on social media.
According to Stakeholder Relationship Manager, Boitumelo Mphake, the background to this programme is powered by their CSI project, #BotshiluCares, where Botshilu intends to give back to the community of Soshanguve by creating a health education platform.
“Botshilu Private Hospital was strategically positioned in the community of Soshanguve to provide world-class healthcare at an affordable price.
We recognise and appreciate that we have become the private healthcare provider of choice, and thus we have initiated our CSI initiative #BotshiluCares to give back to the community”, she continued.
She further expressed gratitude to the Tshwane North district office of the Department of Education to have granted the hospital permission to promote and deliver basic health topics at the selected schools within the Soshanguve area namely, Soshanguve High School, Botse-Botse High School, Kgomotso High School, Elizabeth Matsemela High School, and Memezelo High School.
“We are proud and deliver basic health topics at the selected schools within the Soshanguve area namely, Soshanguve High School, Botse-Botse High School, Kgomotso High School, Elizabeth Matsemela High School, and Memezelo High School.
“We are proud and grateful to have been allowed an opportunity by the Department to visit these schools to try to make a difference in the lives of these learners, our future leaders. The first school that we are visiting is Soshanguve High School on Thursday, the 02nd of February 2023, targeting their matric learners.”
Other stakeholders such as Serisha EMS made demonstrations on first aid among others while Hero Burn Foundation raised awareness of burns. Mr. Matthews Motsepe, who is a Social Worker educated the youth about teenage pregnancy and mental health. Ms. Annelise Boschoff concluded the programme by sensitizing the learners about hygiene and cleanliness.
