Together with the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Beyond Zero launched its Adolescent and Young People’s programme on the 3rd of December at 12pm in Mphanama Village in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality.  The launch was intended to introduce the programme, its offering and activities to the targeted beneficiaries, parents, caregivers, stakeholders, and the community at large.

In his speech,  Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said that the launch formed part of the countrywide roll-out of youth programmes by the Department in collaboration with various stakeholders such as Beyond Zero to encourage the uptake of health services amongst adolescent and young people both in and out of school aged 10-24 years, and also empower them with health education to positively influence their behaviour change and warn them about various behavioural risk factors with potential to thwart the fulfilment of their dreams of life.

Together with the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Beyond Zero launched its Adolescent and Young People’s programme on the 3^rd of December at 12 pm in Mphanama Village in Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality.  The launch was intended to introduce the programme, its offering and its activities to the targeted beneficiaries, parents, caregivers, stakeholders, and the community at large.

In his speech,  Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said that the launch formed part of the countrywide roll-out of youth programmes by the Department in collaboration with various stakeholders such as Beyond Zero to encourage the uptake of health services amongst adolescent and young people both in and out of school aged 10-24 years, and also empower them with health education to positively influence their behaviour change and warn them about various behavioural risk factors with potential to thwart the fulfilment of their dreams of life.

The launch programme was facilitated by the SANAC Co-Chair Ms. Steve Letsike who in her opening remarks, thanked Beyond Zero for bringing the SAYIT LET’S TALK programme to Mphanama village and for the collaborative approach Beyond Zero has taken in the launch and implementation of the programme by brining all stakeholders on board.

The Deputy Minister had an opportunity to view the safe space managed by Beyond Zero’s implementing partner, IHPS to engage beneficiaries and staff on the activities that are provided at the safe space.  When asking one of the beneficiaries on the benefits they derive from using a safe space, the beneficiary said: “We have a place where we are mentored, have free unlimited WiFi and can avoid Mjolo and friends that may lead us astray.  For those who are sexually active, we can access PrEP and any other prevention services through the safe space”. 

The Department of Basic Education’s Ms. Coceka Nogoduka, Chief Director for Care and Support in School emphasised the importance and need for communities in particular parents and care givers to support the National Policy on Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in schools.  She said it is through programmes such as SAYIT LET’S TALK parents and caregivers will be supported with various mechanisms to engage.

“To say I am thrilled to have you all here is an understatement” said Beyond Zero’s CEO, Dr Sisanda Gaga in her welcoming address.  Dr Gaga thanked the Deputy Minister for his unwavering support to SAYIT LET’S TALK as the champion of the NDOH’s youth programmes and all the various sectors and stakeholders that participated and supported Beyond Zero in the planning, the launch and most importantly Beyond Zero’s implementing partner, IHPS who is responsible for ensuring that the youth of Sekhukhune District Municipality are serviced through the programme.  Dr Gaga said Beyond Zero’s implementation of the SAYIT LET’S TALK programme is depended on continuous multisectoral engagements and collaborations for successful and impactful outcomes that will benefit Adolescent and Young People and in turn communities in which the programme is being implemented, she further thanked  Dr. Kholofelo Monyela who represented the CSF sector in steering the planning of the launch by bringing  together all the local stakeholders to make a meaningful contribution towards realisation of the launch.

Beyond Zero was joined by several leaders from tribal authorities including Kgosi Kgaphola who implored on parents and communities to support AYP by being intimately involved in SAYIT LET’S TALK activities that require parents and community involvement through dialogues and consultations. The launch was also attended by representatives of the  Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, community-based organisations and Civil Society Forum.  The Kgaphola Tribal Authority had the pleasure of hosting the Deputy Minister and as per tradition, the Deputy Minister was named “Phahla wa Ngwato”.

The Deputy Minister thanked Beyond Zero for recognising the importance of investing in the health and education outcomes of adolescents and young people for a sustainable future by addressing their social, health and economic matters.