MIDDELBURG – “It is possible to defeat substance abuse and alcoholism, only if we work together in partnership,” said former Steve Tshwete youth manager, Marcus Masemola. Masemola, now chairperson of Mpumalanga Anti-Substance Abuse Forum, was addressing the media at the Steve Tshwete municipal building on Wednesday, March 13, about an aftercare programme designed to assist recovered drug addicts to find their feet in society and stay clean. Five (5) former drug abusers from the Steve Tshwete municipalities have been given a new lease on life through a skills development programme by the Steve Tshwete Local Drug Action Committee (STLDAC) in partnership with Emalahleni’s South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA).
The former addicts have been clean for 12 months after being sent to a rehabilitation centre. They were taken to a 3-week course at Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training in Gauteng where they studied portable skills in welding, motor mechanics, pipe fitting, and panel beating. Upon receiving his certificate, beneficiary Tisetso Mashiloane told Highveld Chronicle he is ready for a fresh start. “The programme helped us a lot because we are now able to see the light after a life of drugs,” Tisetso said.
“It is a fresh start in life, we have been given, with these basic engineering skills. We are determined to work hard to improve and add more knowledge on top of what we have gained through these courses so that we can either find or create employment.” SANCA acting director Thembi Makhubo said the aftercare skills development programme started in 2022 after approaching Glencore Mine for assistance. She further explained that 10 addicts were identified for training but could only pay for five, due to funding constraints. It was revealed that the Steve Tshwete municipality issued R42,000 towards payment of their accommodation.
“It was key for the municipality to come on board with this kind of assistance because they already got the learnership but were struggling with accommodation, so the municipality decided to assist to reduce unemployment, poverty, and drug abuse,” said Steve Tshwete mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela.
“We are glad they are now back with the certificates and we need to engage our stakeholders to ensure they get assistance in terms of getting employed or starting businesses.” STLDAC coordinator Tebogo Senamela, also a motivational speaker, cautioned that there is another challenge of staying clean after leaving drugs. “Everyone can quit drugs but the challenge about quitting drugs is sustaining sobriety,” he said.
“Programmes such as these-aftercare skills development come in handy to help people who have recovered to stay sober. One needs to replace the old habit with a new one. In this case, they have been given skills; they must concentrate on using those skills to change their lives and defeat the old habits.”
