By Buziwe Nocuze
A concerned traditional healer in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, has taken a proactive stance and tackled the pressing issues plaguing the community.
Thembisa Skaap, a respected traditional healer, organised an imbizo, or community gathering, to raise awareness and address the problems afflicting the townships, particularly the youth.
“This is just the beginning. I am planning to hold another imbizo soon. Our government is turning a blind eye while young people in our communities are left vulnerable and in need of help,” said Skaap, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
Skaap attributed the prevalence of social ills to a lack of leadership and guidance both from the government and teachers.
“We cannot allow our young people to have role models who engage in criminal activities; they choose that path because no one is teaching or guiding them towards positive behaviour,” said Skaap.
Chief Sindile Sigcawu, who attended the imbizo, echoed Skaap’s concerns and said introducing programmes needed to be introduced to occupy the youth and deter them from engaging in illegal activities.
“We must do everything in our power to save young people from falling into the clutches of drugs by providing them with activities that can enhance their lives,” said Sigcawu.
He acknowledged the difficulties of helping individuals who are already entangled in the grip of substance abuse.
“While we will extend our support to those who are already struggling with drugs, our primary goal should be to prevent further escalation of drug abuse. We cannot allow more people to succumb to the destructive path of addiction,” he said.
Sigcawu said that community development is a shared responsibility.
“There are numerous issues that require our attention in our communities. We have cases where children are mistreating their parents due to drug abuse and need to find viable solutions because many parents are unhappy within their own homes due to the influence of drugs,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of addressing the high unemployment rate and devising interim solutions for young people while they wait for government job opportunities.
“Successful entrepreneurs who started from scratch should step forward and inspire those who are still striving — they can share their experiences, emphasising the value of patience and the adverse consequences associated with criminal activities,” added Sigcawu.
Thando Khaphela, a concerned community member, also participated in the meeting, fuelled by a desire for positive change.
“This drug issue affects everyone, not just parents, as drug users terrorise the community and abuse their families. I sincerely hope we find a solution,” said Khaphela.
The imbizo proved to be an essential platform for community members to voice their concerns and seek collective solutions to the social challenges in the township.
Pictured above: A traditional healer in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, organised an imbizo to address the social ills plaguing the communities
Image Credit: Buziwe Nocuze
