Komati News Desk
While June is recognised globally as Drug Awareness Month, culminating in the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, organisations in Komati say the conversation around substance abuse should continue long after the awareness month has ended.
Among those leading local prevention efforts is the Siyakhula Innovation Centre, which has partnered with Komati SAPS to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse while encouraging healthier life choices.
According to Project Manager Bongani Fakude, substance abuse has not emerged as one of the community’s biggest challenges based on the organisation’s database. However, alcohol abuse remains a concern among young people and continues to be a focus of its awareness campaigns.
“Although the overall rate of substance abuse is relatively low, alcohol remains a significant concern that affects the health, safety and future development of many young people,” Fakude said.
To strengthen prevention efforts, the organisation has trained 27 young peer facilitators who work alongside community members and schools to educate other young people about the risks associated with substance abuse.
The centre also runs the Chommie Programme in local schools, where trained facilitators help children understand sexual abuse, their rights to protection and where to seek help. The facilitators were trained through Man Can Do Better,one of Siyakhula Innovation Centre’s partner organisations, and received Department of Social Development-accredited training to ensure they are equipped to support and educate learners effectively.
Working closely with Komati SAPS and the SAPS Youth League, the organisation hosts awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes aimed at promoting responsible decision-making and positive behaviour.
Keeping Programmes Alive Despite Limited Funding
Despite the progress being made, Fakude says funding remains one of the organisation’s biggest challenges.
“Our youth facilitators volunteer their time because we currently don’t have the resources to compensate them financially,” he explained. “We do our best to recognise their efforts through appreciation events while we continue looking for funding to sustain and grow our programmes.”
Beyond substance abuse, the organisation says unemployment remains one of the biggest issues affecting young people in Komati. Fakude believes many youth become discouraged as employment opportunities remain limited, leading to frustration and uncertainty about their future.
To address this, Siyakhula Innovation Centre assists young people with bursary applications, entrepreneurship training and SMME development, while also connecting them with skilled mentors from different professions.
Helping the Community Navigate the Energy Transition
The organisation has also expanded its work to include climate change awareness and education around the Just Energy Transition (JET), recognising the uncertainty many young people feel as the community continues to adapt to economic changes following the closure of Eskom’s Komati Power Station.
“We realised young people need accurate information about the Just Energy Transition and the opportunities that may come with it,” Fakude said. “That’s why climate change awareness and JET education have become part of our key objectives.”
From Alcohol Abuse to a Career in Renewable Energy
The organisation will host a Climate Change Awareness event on 28 July 2026 as part of its ongoing community education programme.
One of the centre’s most encouraging success stories involves a former youth facilitator who struggled with alcohol abuse.
After receiving guidance and support from the organisation, the young man secured a learnership at Eskom’s Komati Power Station. He later completed specialised wind turbine training at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) in Cape Town. The centre provides accredited training for careers in the renewable energy sector. Today, he works as a qualified technician.
For Fakude, the story serves as a reminder that with the right support, mentorship and opportunities, young people can overcome personal challenges and build successful futures.
As Drug Awareness Month ends, organisations like Siyakhula Innovation Centre hope their work will remind communities that preventing substance abuse is not only about saying no to drugs, but also about creating opportunities, supporting young people and giving them reasons to believe in a better future.
