Taking a Stand Against Substance Abuse

The community of Lime Acres recently came alive with talent, purpose, and hope. Local organisations from the ZF Mgcawu district who recently formed the Alcohol Safer ZFM coalition hosted their very first community event to raise awareness around alcohol and drug abuse.

The event was arranged by one of the organisations under the coalition, the Nqoba Ulutsha Drug Organization, based in Lime Acres. It was supported by fellow members of the Alcohol Safer ZFM coalition, SAAPA (South African Alcohol Policy Alliance),  various other stakeholders, and the local community.

The event featured a Youth Talent Show, inviting young people to express themselves through rap, songs, and various other forms of art. The event focused on the dangers of alcohol, especially its impact on minors. A strong message was shared about the importance of understanding the law around minors and alcohol abuse. Children and youth in attendance walked away with prizes from the competitions, and stakeholders also got involved in the fun with a goal shoot contest. It was a meaningful and energetic moment of unity and creativity, highlighting the importance of substance-related education.

This event marks the beginning of ongoing efforts by the coalition to support people in rehabilitation, promote sobriety, and educate communities about the risks of substance abuse. Their goal is to build a culture of safety, support, and awareness across the ZF Mgcawu area.

In 2023, Lesedi Solar Park Trust commissioned the Rural Development Support Program (RDSP), South African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) and South African National Council on Alcoholism (SANCA)  to research alcohol-related issues in Kgatelopele and Tsantsabane. That research is now published and available on our website:

Read the research here: https://leseditrust.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Substance-Strategy_Lesedi-NC.docx.pdf

Building on the findings, the Trust has since commissioned SAAPA and RDSP to train and mentor local organisations in both municipalities to lead campaigns, host dialogues, and drive long-term change from the ground up.

These are the organisations that hosted the event, and we look forward to seeing what’s next from these local change makers.