​Gauteng Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe applauded Ke Moja Coaches, Coordinators and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) for their sterling job in working and educating the public about the dangers of drug abuse and helping the Department to implement the Ke Moja ‘I’m Fine Without Drugs’ Programme.
Mosupyoe was speaking during the 9th Annual Ke Moja Certification and Awards Ceremony at Birchwood Hotel, in Boksburg on 15 October.

She said, “You are all doing tremendous work in reducing the demand for drugs through this programme. Your challenging work does not go unnoticed.”

“Substance abuse has robbed many of our young people of their dreams both locally and globally. The number of young people using drugs is alarming; as the World Drug Report 2019 recorded that about 271 million people globally use drugs and as a result, 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders which require treatment services.”

“Considering these alarming figures, the Gauteng Department of Social Development is funding one public treatment centre and fifteen (15) inpatient treatment centres managed by NPOs, to ensure that the poorest  of the poor can access treatment services,” said Mosupyoe.

She added that she was proud of all stakeholders involved in implementing the Ke Moja Programme that has seen over 542 849 children and 374 045 youth benefiting during 2020/21 financial year across the five regions in the Province.

Sibongile Van der Linde, who is one of the Coaches facilitating the Ke Moja Drug Prevention Programme at Nishtara Orange Farm said she was grateful of the opportunity afforded to her by the Department as she was a nobody but now a leader in her community.

Van der Linde said the “Leadership begins with an attitude. It is about being there for the people, and being brave enough to face challenges and social ills affecting our youth.”

“I did not know that one day I will be capable of being a leader nor live a positive life, even when I faced different circumstances, little did I know that changing one life can make a difference,” she added.

The Department has hosted Ke Moja Awards since year 2012 to give recognition to people like Sibongile Van der Linde, for their quality of work and leading in the forefront to spearhead the fight against substance abuse in Gauteng.

The following were top recipients of awards and certificates as per category:
1.TOP 3 PROVINCIAL PEER EDUCATION
• 1st Mpho Matji – SBCC
• 2nd Mary Themba – SANCA Horizon
• 3rd Mapaseka Ngwenya – SANCA Eastern GP Springs

2.TOP 3 PROVINCIAL ALTERNATIVES COACHES
• 1st Nathaniel Masipa – Harvest Outreach Centre
• 2nd Keleabetsoe Molipa – Nishtara Orange Farm
• 3rd Londekile Dlamini – Harvest Outreach Centre

3.TOP 3 PROVINCIAL PUPPETS COACHES
• 1st Thabiso Kekana – SBCC
• 2nd Paul Mphasha – SBCC
• 3rd Princess Chabalala – SBCC

4.TOP 3 PROVINCIAL COORDINATORS
• 1st Mbali Hlophe – SANCA Horizon
• 2nd Mpho Motaung – SANCA Nishtara Orange Farm
• 3rd Gugulethu Thewane – Lesedi La Batjha Rehabilitation Centre

5. TOP 3 PROVINCIAL PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
• 1st Thelma Hlabane – Sinethemba Kuzo Lunga
• 2nd Lerato Mathibe – Open Disclosure Foundation
• 3rd Lerato Moloi – Harvest Outreach Centre

6. TOP 3 PROVINCIAL KE MOJA NPOs
• 1st SANCA Horizon
• 2nd Sithuthukisa Bonke Crisis Centre
• 3rd SANCA Heidelberg

7.KE MOJA BEST PERFORMING COACH AGAINST ALL ODDS
• Mapaseka Ngwenya – SANCA Eastern GP Springs