08 Oct 2019

Ghanzi East Sub-district Council, through the Department of Social and Community Development, has introduced RADs (Rural Area Dwellers) inter hostel tournament to counteract daunting challenges in RADs hostels.

The tournament, which incorporates athletics, football, volleyball, netball, beauty contest, traditional dance and the San’s favourite traditional game, Nxhabi, was launched on October 3 at New Xade.

In an interview during the tournament, principal community development officer in Ghanzi East Sub-district Council, Mr Lopang Madisa said they had introduced the tournament to ward off the escalating pupil drop outs, bullying, drug abuse and alcoholism in RADs hostels.

Mr Madisa, who regretted that pupils in RADs hostels fall prey to sexual exploitation, was hopeful that the tournament would divert pupils attention from indulging in sexual activities.

He said the tournament targeted RADs hostels in Kuke, D’kar and New Xade. He explained that they realised that pupils in RADs hotels were not interested in games like scrabble, chess and other board games, but rather prefered physical games.

The tournament, he said, would be held annually during short term vacations on rotational basis among the participating hostels. He said the tournament intends to explore and nurture pupils talents.

Mr Madisa stated that the National Children’s Council donated trophies, balls and beauty contest crowns towards the tournament. National Children Council vice chairperson, Mr Desmond Lunga said the council presence at the launch was befitting as it dealt with children issues.

He stated that the council was equally worried about issues of pupils drop outs, bullying and issues of pupils’ sexual exploitation, either among themselves or being victims of adults’ abuse.

He said they would motivate service providers looking after children or pupils to create an environment that would allow good development of pupils in RADs hostels, particularly that they were in difficult to reach areas.

He said once motivated, they would give good service in care giving and parenting, adding that playing was a key instrument in child development.

“We will address children to make them aware of their right and responsibilities so that they could be vigilant on issues of sexual exploitation either among themselves as children or victims of adults’ abuse,” he stated.

The children council, he said, was concerned about recent cases of children abuse, especially sexual exploitation. “Imagine a five-year-old being raped,” so we want to be proactive and reach all community members to be vigilant. He appealed to the public to report all cases of child abuse.

Mr Lunga, who is also a leader of Man and Boys-Gender Equality organisation, stated that imparting knowledge to pupils would give them credence on decision making. The council also donated Eseng mo ngwaneng campaign materials to pupils.

The hosts, New Xade, emerged overall winners after scooping position one in football, netball, volleyball and 4x1 relay. D’kar came first in traditional dance and Nxhabi game while beauty contest position went to Kuke hostel. ENDS