NEWS. SAAYC in war against under-age drinking

Thembi Masser

The South African Association of Youth Clubs (SAAYC) recently held a campaign to warn under age kids on the dangers of drinking alcohol. The campaign was held in conjunction with the South African Breweries in the ‘You Decide’ workshops.

Skhumbuso Ngobese, project coordinator at SAAYC, praised the kids who came in to take part in the campaign. He explained the purpose of their partnership with SAB. “We see it as a great opportunity to partner with the SAB in this regard.” He said the campaign is relevant in that it highlights the problems that communalities deal with daily.

This was the second workshop they have co-hosted with the beer brewer. “The ‘You Decide’ workshops started in December 2012 in an effort to warn communities about the dangers of under age drinking. Studies have shown that the youth, especially those that are under-age, consume too much alcohol.”

There is an overall concern about this development and Sgt.Timothy Masilela from the Etwatwa police voiced the SAPS’s concern on the matter. “This is a problem not only for the communities but for the department as well. We need to nip it in the bud,” he said. “Frankly, there is too much youth unemployment in the area but kids have money for drugs and liquor. It is mind-boggling.”   

Mary Ndlovu, of Mary’s Place, a local tavern, praised the workshop. It teaches kids and adults alike and hopes it works well going forward, she said. “Under-age drinking is a problem. But, well, at my place I serve only the over 35’s. No kids.”

In a nutshell

Millicent Maroga, SAB's corporative affairs manager, says the You Decide workshops expose the community to the problem and dangers involved in underage drinking. Teen and parent guides are distributed to assist the community and these guides are unpacked in the actual community workshop. Community members are allowed to ask questions and a SAB representative attends to assist with answers. The SADAG counsellor is also given a slot to help with any questions. The You Decide roadshow is also presented to the community members- this is the actual roadshow that is presented in schools. Prizes are also given away with a win-and-spin competition, which includes questions linked to the subject matter. Each workshop is aimed at a minimum 200 community members.

      

 To offer an open platform for the community to voice their issues and suggestions for change

To promote the support structure strand availability of the You Decide helpline

To provide a platform for community organisations to get involved

Tavern owners, parents, support groups (SAPS), and in some instances youth are also invited (as with Etwatwa)

SADAG is involved in each workshop and SAB mobilise SAPS where possible. In Etwata the workshop partnered with SAAYC (South African Association of Youth Clubs). The NYDA and the DTI have in been support of the You Decide programme.

In total, since the inception of the campaign in 2012, You Decide has completed 23 community workshops, targeting over 3,500 community members.

Edwin Makua testified that she lost a well-paying job because he failed to control her drinking. But at present, after rehabilitation, he has been ‘clean and dry’ for over a year now. “I lost my job as a quality controller, earning about R7 800 a month. Now I am unemployed.”