By Doreen Mokgolo
Gauteng health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko is calling for the provision of condoms in schools as it is a requirement for all public facilities to help fight the high rate of teenage pregnancies.
“There are children who are already sexually active. They must have condoms in their school bags at all times. They can also negotiate condom usage if someone tries to rape them even though we know this will be next to impossible.”
She was speaking during the back-to-school campaign which is aimed at assessing the state of readiness in Kwa-Thema schools.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said 10 years ago when she was first deployed in the area, she identified that Zimisele and Nkumbulo secondary schools had high rates of pregnancies.
“We are concerned about the high number of teenagers falling pregnant. One in three girls aged between 10 and 19 years in South Africa don’t return to school.
“In Gauteng, we have seen children between the ages of 14 and 19 years giving birth at health facilities. In the current financial year, we have already recorded over 13,700 babies born of teenage mothers.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko said once a child is 15 and falls pregnant she no longer has a future.
“You can’t think the child will be normal and fine. She will never be fine because of the circumstances and conditions she went through during the delivery,” she said.
The MEC is calling on parents and guardians to encourage girls who show signs of being sexually active to be fitted with contraceptive implants which are available in public health facilities.
The MEC said teenage pregnancy is a societal issue which requires a societal approach. As such they have partnered with various sectors including faith-based organisations, traditional authorities, and youth formations.
Pictured above: MEC of Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Image source: Supplied