Post date: Apr 05, 2011 12:16:45 PM
South African government targets teenagers who think sex is cool when you're still at school, after new figures reveal over 5,000 girls fell pregnant in one school year.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA REUTERS - South Africa's Health Ministry recently released alarming statistics that show almost 5000 schoolgirls in Johannesburg became pregnant in just one school calendar year.
The report said teenage pregnancy between the ages of 12 and 19 has reached such high levels that education officials, parents and charities are working around the clock to address the problem.More than 113 primary school girls, mostly aged between 7-13 years, also became pregnant in the same period. Most came from poverty stricken homes and are often influenced by their peers, the statistics showed.
17-year-old Lethlogonolo Mampane fell pregnant while still at school. She says her boyfriend used money and gifts to lure her for sex.
"I felt I have to be independent you know, I want to do things on my own without asking my mother for money, I couldn't ask my mother for money so I can go and drink with friends, so yeah, money is like the main thing, some girls maybe think it's love, but really its about sex and money, that's it," she said.
Unlike many girls in her situation, Mampane continued going to school while pregnant. She says she has learnt her lesson and is now focused on her future.
"Well I went to school, I told myself that people are going to talk, I know they are, because I used to talk, so I told myself that, you know what, you know what you want, and you are going to get what you want, forget what people are saying, it's not your business, they are here, they are gonna talk, they are gonna do that, and not everyone wants good things for you ,you know, some will be positive, some will be negative, so what I have to do is concentrate on what I want and forget what people think," she said.
In an effort to curb teenage pregnancies in the province, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development embarked on a campaign to educate youth on the implications of pregnancy.
Health promoters will be visiting high schools addressing various topics linked to teenage pregnancy.
The campaign is a joint effort between the department of Education and non-governmental organisations, which will also look at Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and as well as HIV and AIDS.
The department has deployed more than 30 family planning nurses to strengthen youth friendly services at local clinics.
spokesperson the of the department of health, Fidel Hadebe says the high numbers indicate a failure on behalf of adults to communicate with younger generations about the consequences of unprotected sex.
"What I think it indicates to us, it indicates the inability of our programs in terms of one, changing attitudes towards issues of sex and sexuality," he said, adding that the idea that sex is 'cool' for children of school age is still one of the major hurdles they face.
Another problem is persuading teenagers and children to talk to their parents.
Nomsa Mampane, Lethlogonolo's mother is a single parent of two children. She says she was angry when Lethlogonolo confessed to being pregnant.
"Well, there is no way I can deny this, I didn't understand why Lethlogonolo did that to me, I mean I talk to her about issues of sex, I wanted her to be married, have kids after marriage, I mean look at me, I have two kids from different fathers, life is tough for me, I am forever fighting with their fathers to pay maintenance for their kids, I have to do anything for my children to eat. I was involved in recycling just so I could support my children, how are we going to survive with an extra mouth to feed?" she said.
Mampane says she has put aside her disappointment and will help her daughter look after the baby so she can finish school.
But she says, she hopes other children in the neighbourhood can learn from their situation and understand the responsibilities of being a parent.