The Musina LoveLife Groundbreakers and Impintshis are out in full force to curb the scourge of falling into awful traps of becoming victims of moral decay among the youths.

Amid the struggle waged by the government, the Musina LoveLife team can stand up and be counted amongst the most compassionate organizations that are nipping the scourge of sexual immorality on the bud.

The Musina LoveLife campaign was launched in January 2004 to facilitate outreach programmes that are aimed at curbing the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) pandemic.

Musina LoveLife is comprised of three Groundbreakers who are employed on a 12-month contractual basis and 15 Impitshis who are working on a voluntary basis.

Peter Sebogwane, who is a Groundbreaker, says that Musina LoveLife runs programmes that are aimed at educating the youth between 12 and 17 years to lead healthy and safe lifestyles. “Our programmes are mostly intended to educate the youths to delay their first sexual encounter, reduce the number of their partners and protect themselves and others by using condoms when having sex,” says Sebogwane.

According to Sebogwane, the LoveLife campaign is comprised of several outreach programmes that are conducted at both primary and secondary schools across Musina, adding that the programmes include a guide to action, motivation, creative problem solving and debate.

Concurring with her colleague, Carol Kekana believes that an event such as the LoveLife Primary Schools Competition that was held at the Musina show grounds on 28 October 2005 is an effective tool to get the message across. “With support from the Musina Local Municipality, we managed to host the event in order to increase the awareness of the dangers involved with HIV and Aids. During the event, primary school learners participated in drama, poetry, debate, mapantsula dance, beauty contest and motivational sessions,” says Kekana.

Kekana says to become a Groundbreaker, one has to be an Impintshi first, must have a Grade 12 certificate and must be a South African citizen between the age of 18 and 25.

The acting Groundbreaker, Tsakane Chauke says that Musina LoveLife is located at the Health Information Centre along the National Road next to the Emergency Medical Services station.

Chauke says through their office, LoveLife continues to reach out to the youth by distributing condoms, pamphlets, posters and the monthly LoveLife magazine, Uncut. She says the team also conducts individual and group sessions about teenage pregnancy, sexual transmitted illnesses (STIs) and HIV/Aids at the centre.

With regard to HIV testing and counseling, Chauke says that LoveLife works hand in hand with the clinic that is located in the Health Information Centre. “Basically, we regard ourselves as a bridge between the youth and the health services sector,” she adds.

This year, LoveLife also participated in events that the Musina Local Municipality, organized as part of the Musina Centenary Celebrations, including the Winter Games and the Cleanup Campaign. Chauke says that LoveLife participates in the events held by the Municipality as a community stake-holder and they use the opportunity to spread their message. She adds that, as part of Love Life’s national games, they annually host a competition for Musina youths involving various sporting codes. Winners at the local level progress to the district games until they reach the finals at national level.

Appealing to Musina youths to join the struggle against the HIV/Aids pandemic, Sebogwane says: “We are appealing to the youth to come and join us in our endeavour to empower fellow youths with knowledge about their reproductive health”.

He concluded by urging the business sector and government institutions to contribute resources towards LoveLife events to ensure that the outreach programme continues to run without hindrance.