Snake Park youth fight drugs by focusing on arts

Nobulawo Sitshaluza

The youth of Snake Park mostly suffer from drug or substance abuse. The drugs that are easily available to them are mostly known as Nyaope. That drug seems to make them lose their appetite and be mostly very neglectful towards themselves as they will not bathe for days and lose their complexion. They also vigorously scratch themselves and they talk and walk quickly.

I used to be around them because I once worked as a street vendor near a scrap yard. I will come across them daily because they will sell whatever was recycled in the scrap yard to feed their addiction.

On 17 /08/2024 Mr Zulu, the former councillor invited the community of Snake Park next to Mayibuye Primary at the park. It started a week before when Mr Zulu would call the community to watch young people perform either they would sing, dance, or act and they were brilliant. Mr. Zulu mentioned the fact that “his son is also addicted in Nyaope due to his son doing drugs he burned the sack that he bought for him twice. He went on to tell us about a grandmother who was raped and killed by an addict.” He would ask sponsors to offer donations so he can offer them refreshments.

This gives them a platform to showcase their talents. I spoke to two talented young people, Tshepo Maseko and Simphiwe Mawaya. Tsepo Maseko is at Sebetsa High School and stays at address number 34611 it’s been one year since he joined the traditional Zulu dancing group. Simphiwe Mawaya stays in address number 35119 and is doing his studying at Thulani High School. He has been on the ground for 5 years doing Zulu group and he can act as well. The ground consists of 12 members and Mr. Sicelo Ngobese is the one who teaches them Zulu traditional dance.

In Snakepark most of the break-ins are committed by young people who are addicted to drugs. We as the community would see them every day walking in groups. Hopefully more and more young would get involved in Mr Zulu’s initiative. Rehab is available near our clinic but I think it takes a person to decide whether to quit or not. When some of them have decided to go to rehab and be clean I also think that society and the same environment where there are no jobs or activity for to do can lead them back again to be drug addicts.