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Banyana legend Portia Modise shared negative effects of substance abuse during an info-sharing activation blitz held at Maponya Mall in Soweto.
The blitz in partnership with Clinix Health Group comes as scores of the youth in the country are faced with a growing problem of substance abuse – especially among unemployed youth.
The activation was in commemoration of the annual World Drug Day, also known as International Day Against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking and Youth Month.
In addition, this year, the South African National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) is commemorating Drug Awareness Week from 24 – 30 June.
The activation forms part of the Clinix Health Group’s newly launched awareness campaign about Substance Use Disorders and Addiction, which seeks to educate and inform young people who are most at risk of using drugs and also offer help to those struggling with addiction.
Portia Modise was unveiled as one of the three ambassadors of the campaign, alongside former Kaizer Chiefs and current TS Galaxy Star Player, Bernard Parker and Long Jump Olympic Silver Medallist, Luvuyo Manyonga.
Since her retirement from football, the Banyana icon has devoted her time and channelled her energy to community youth development initiatives, especially for women’s football and education.
Though she was fortunate not to use any illicit drugs and substances during and post her illustrious career; but she acknowledges that she was in a vulnerable and volatile environment that could’ve easily made her slip through the crack.
“This campaign is very close to my heart, because not only is it educating the public about the negative effects of using drugs and substances, but it also touches on the issues of mental health.
“I believe that if I wasn’t strong-willed throughout my career, I could’ve easily been broken by the cruel and harsh realities of our football. Many athletes start using illegal substances for various reasons and some are not even aware of how it will impact them in the long run.
“Mental health is one of those reasons, because sometimes some of the athletes take these substances to make them feel relaxed and calm,” said Modise.
She added; “I am committed to being an example to my community by adding my voice and using my life journey to encourage young people to seek help if they’ve already started using substances and are struggling with addiction.
“Clinix is an institution that cares about communities, and they offer much needed resources to those who are vulnerable at two of their wellness centres located around Soweto, the Dr. SK Matseke Memorial Hospital and Tshepo Themba Hospital.”
Modise stated that they decided to go to Maponya [Mall] not only to share their personal stories, but to also share and give out information about these resources for anyone who is struggling with substance use disorders and addiction.
She highlighted that more importantly, was to tell people that “it’s never” too late to ask for help.
Seeking solace in the substance usage
Also in attendance was a group of graduates from the Clinix Solomon ‘Stix’ Morewa Wellness Programme, who shared their stories of addiction and recovery.
One of the graduates, Thuthuka Mavie who hails from Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal, said his first encounter with illicit drugs was back in 2009.
“At first, it was all peer pressure. I joined a crowd that smoked ‘CAT’ and it was all downhill from there. I was brought up by grandmother, who adequately provided and cared for me after my mother passed away when I was 11 years old.
“Unfortunately, like many other young people, I never knew my father. Using drugs with my peers gave me a sense of belonging, because I was still hurting from my mother’s passing and not knowing my father,” Mavie remarked.
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He said before being admitted at Clinix, he had already had a stint at two rehabilitation facilities and one church mission.
Mavie had to take a stern decision to change his life after hitting rock bottom or just face a grim reality for the rest of his life.
Another graduate, Lebogang Seboko from Pimville in Soweto who was also raised by his grandmother, said their grandmother was his pillar and taught him and his brother about values and principles of life.
The granny also taught them about humility, respect and empathy.
Seboko continued: “She also showered us with unconditional love. In 2005, I started smoking weed with my friends at primary school. We then progressed to another substance called mandrax and quickly escalated to using heroin.
“This was all because of my longing for validation from older peers who we deemed to be cool people who were feared and respected. I desperately wanted to be part of that circle.”
However, before his admission at the Clinix Wellness Centre in 2023, he had been to three other rehabilitation centres because of his disease.
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His life had become so unbearable and unmanageable that it still shocks him that he made it out of 2023 alive.
According to him, he was filled with guilt and shame because of his actions and all the pain he had inflicted to his family and community.
“I’m grateful that after all these attempts, I finally got assistance at Clinix which has paved my road to recovery. I want to use my personal story to educate my struggling peers, especially the younger ones who are of school-going age,” he concluded.
It is believed Clinix will continue with the awareness for the next three months, hosting various community engagement activations across Gauteng.
The next blitz will take place in Mamelodi, Pretoria in early July and TS Galaxy star player, Bernard Parker will lead the community engagement.
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