IMOLOGA COMMUNITY PROJECTS HOSTS GEARUP4AGYW PROGRAMME TO COMBAT SOCIAL ISSUES
IPELEGENG – Imologa Community Projects held the GearUp4AGYW (Gender Equality, Advocacy and Resilience – Adolescent Girls and Young Women) programme at the Ipelegeng Community Library in Ipelegeng, near Schweizer-Reneke, on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.
The initiative tackled pressing social issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The programme aims to empower young individuals with knowledge and skills to become Prevention Leaders, spreading awareness and driving positive change within their communities.
This life-changing programme is implemented by Imologa in collaboration with ViiV Healthcare (Positive Action) and SAfAIDS. It operates across three provinces in South Africa, including North West, where Imologa oversees community-based interventions aimed at addressing these critical challenges.
The event featured lively and informative performances by the Ipelegeng Community Arts Centre, who used role play to creatively illustrate the significance of HIV and AIDS awareness. Through engaging and relatable scenarios, the group shed light on the importance of education, prevention, community support, quality service delivery, and peer pressure.
Local musicians also contributed to the event by entertaining the audience and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
While the event was taking place at the library, Tebogo Oliphant, CEO of Imologa, was taking visitors on a tour of Ipelegeng township. The first meeting place was the Imologa office, where an initial briefing occurred.
Mr Oliphant provided an overview of the organisation and its programme, highlighting its achievements, activities, progress, and challenges. Following that, the group visited the District Health Department, where a meet and greet took place, providing an overview of the programme and linking it to health services, as well as the existing partnership. The final stop was Mamusa Community Health Centre, where the visitors observed the services provided to the AGYW when referred for healthcare services.
Ms. Millicentt Mabena, the Programmes Manager of Imologa, facilitated the discussions and Q&A sessions, encouraging active engagement from participants. Mabena stressed the importance of open dialogue in tackling social issues, saying, “Creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves is essential for fostering understanding and driving change within our communities.” She further emphasised the value of knowledge-sharing, adding, “By equipping these young individuals with accurate information, we are empowering them to become the voices of change among their peers.”
From ViiV Healthcare, Dr Morag McLaren, Director of Operations, Assurance, and Governance, expressed her appreciation for the programme’s approach. “I think for me, it’s the energy of the people that work for the organisations, the people that participate in doing all the hard work, so important. It has been amazing. And what a way to end, the play was fantastic!”
The event was attended by a range of stakeholders and delegates who play vital roles in supporting the programme’s objectives. Among the key stakeholders was Ipelegeng’s Community Policing Forum, which continues to be an important partner in addressing GBV and other social issues.
Other delegates included Tinashe Rufurwadzo, Programme Manager, Community Strategic Initiatives at ViiV Healthcare (UK); Chrispin Chomba, SAfAIDS Regional Head of Strategic Evidence and Programmes; Neo Moepi, a representative from the Provincial AIDS Council; Johanna Ntwe, District Secretariat of the AIDS Council; Sophie Barnard, Senior Social Worker from Social Development in Mamusa; and Oupa Maselo, Board Chairperson of Imologa Community Projects.
Oliphant shared his pride in the programme’s reach and impact. He said, “The GearUp4AGYW programme is running across three provinces in South Africa, with North West being one of them. Through our partnership with SAfAIDS and ViiV, we aim to empower communities and address these critical social issues head-on.”
Dumisile Moyana of SAfAIDS commended the collaborative efforts, highlighting the programme’s role in reducing stigma and promoting preventative measures against HIV and GBV. “As SAfAIDS, we love you so much. The intention behind this is for us to make sure that you start this programme. We want to make sure that you fight for your rights and access to healthcare services.”
A parent who attended the event expressed their gratitude to Imologa and all the stakeholders involved in making the event possible. “Thank you to Imologa and everyone who contributed to this event. It’s programmes like these that give us hope for our children’s future. We hardly have such programmes in Schweizer Reneke. In light of that, I want to thank everyone for making this day possible.”
