The Dr Noma Mbeki Foundation has launched an anti-'pens down' programme in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, to provide matric learners with safer ways to mark the end of their examinations. The programme aims to address the growing concern of underage drinking and risky end-of-school celebrations in the region. According to Liquor Board figures, about 47% of learners have consumed alcohol, highlighting the need for initiatives like this. The foundation's campaign is shaped by communities affected by alcohol-related incidents involving young people.
The programme was launched in Mdantsane as the foundation's president, Dr Noma Mbeki, stated that lower-income communities carry a heavy burden of alcohol-related harm. The organisation plans to take the programme to other Eastern Cape townships before expanding nationally. This initiative follows the 2022 Enyobeni Tavern disaster, in which 21 young people died in Scenery Park, East London. The incident raised concerns about the safety of matric celebrations and the need for effective interventions.
Social worker Akhona Nyosana highlighted the risks associated with alcohol consumption among young people, including HIV risk, gender-based violence, and intimate-partner violence. Learners at the launch emphasised that programmes should equip teenagers to handle peer pressure and difficulties at home, rather than only warning them against drinking. The foundation's programme aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for learners to celebrate the end of their examinations.
The inaugural campaign event brought together over 1,000 matric pupils, who were expected to participate in activities and discussions aimed at promoting responsible behaviour. The foundation has not presented the event as a substitute for law enforcement, school support, or treatment services. Instead, it seeks to complement existing efforts to address the issue of underage drinking.
The programme is intended to return during the annual matric "pens down" period and expand to other communities. Dr Noma Mbeki emphasised the importance of community involvement in addressing the issue of underage drinking. The foundation's initiative has been welcomed by learners and stakeholders, who see it as a positive step towards promoting responsible behaviour among young people.
The Dr Noma Mbeki Foundation's programme is part of a broader effort to address the social and health impacts of underage drinking in South Africa. The organisation's work is aligned with government initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm among young people. By engaging with communities and providing support to learners, the foundation hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in the Eastern Cape.
The anti-'pens down' programme has been launched at a critical time, as matric learners prepare to celebrate the end of their examinations. The foundation's initiative serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behaviour and the need for communities to work together to address the issue of underage drinking. By providing a safe and supportive environment for learners, the programme aims to promote positive outcomes for young people in the Eastern Cape.
Key points
- Dr Noma Mbeki Foundation launches anti-'pens down' programme in Mdantsane to address underage drinking and unsafe matric celebrations
- Programme aims to provide matric learners with safer ways to mark the end of their examinations
- Initiative follows 2022 Enyobeni Tavern disaster, in which 21 young people died in Scenery Park, East London
