The Deputy Minister of Health, Sibongiseni Dlhomo, led an annual campaign aimed at addressing sexual reproductive health with students of the Sol Plaatje University and other universities and colleges in Kimberley.

Additionally, it attempted to address the many health issues that teenage girls, young women, and their male counterparts faced.

SRC Deputy President Mawethu Yona acknowledged that this campaign is a good thing as many students come from different and rural backgrounds. There is no surety that they are well-educated about sexual reproductive health and illegal and unsafe abortions.

“Students from the university come from all over South Africa, from different and rural backgrounds and we are not assured that all students have the knowledge and awareness of health and safety, it is a beautiful thing that this campaign has been hosted at our university,” Yona said.

Yona further mentioned that the university does not have support structures for the termination of pregnancies but the nurses advise students to go to the local clinics and hospitals.

The institution had a variety of gazebos’ which were there to inform and educate on a number of sexual health matters. For example, there were mobile clinics and testing stations.

The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, World Health Organisation Country Director, Dr Owen Kaluwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Higher Health South Africa, and local government leaders from the Sol Plaatje Municipality were in attendance.

Nurses and members of the SAPS were visible.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame