In a decisive and compassionate response to the escalating crisis of drug and substance abuse plaguing its communities, the Gauteng Provincial Government will on 27 October 2025 launch the “Tswa Daar” Anti-Substance Abuse Response Programme. This large-scale, community-driven initiative is designed not as a one-day event, but as a critical entry point for a sustained war against the scourge that is devastating families and hijacking the futures of young people across the City of Tshwane.
Scheduled to run from 09:00 to 14:00, the campaign extends a direct and heartfelt plea to residents: “Bring your son or your daughter, your friend, your brother or your sister.” This call to action underscores the programme’s core philosophy—that recovery begins with community support and that no one should face addiction alone.
A United Government Front
The “Tswa Daar” programme will be spearheaded by a powerful coalition of provincial leaders, demonstrating the government’s integrated approach. The event will be led by MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, and MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, and Rural Development, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela. Both MECs have built reputations for hands-on community engagement and a deep commitment to youth empowerment, positioning them as credible champions for this sensitive cause.
Their joint leadership highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, linking the social welfare response directly to educational and economic opportunities, recognising that addiction cannot be solved in isolation from the issues of unemployment and hopelessness that often fuel it.
Accessible Help Across the City: Six Sites, One Mission
To ensure no resident is left behind, the government has established six easily accessible service hubs across Tshwane:
- Matimba Sinqobile Centre, Cnr Marishane and Shiluvhane Streets, Mamelodi Extension
- Giant Stadium, Soshanguve Highway, 28 Buitekant Street (M20)
- Saulsville Arena, 1 Malebye Street
- Jubilee Shopping Mall, Cnr Jubilee and Harry Gwala Road
- Eesterus Civic Centre, Cnr PS Fourie and Hans Coverdale Road West
- Bronkhorstspruit Sports Centre, 32 Olifant Crescent, Bronkhorstspruit
A Comprehensive Pathway to Recovery and Renewal
The programme goes beyond mere awareness, offering a tangible pathway from addiction to opportunity. Available services at each site will include:
- Immediate Intervention: Mobile and medical assessments, affidavits for voluntary admission to rehabilitation centres, and on-the-spot assistance with identity documents—a critical barrier for many seeking help.
- Treatment Access: Intake assessments for rehabilitation and outpatient treatment services, streamlining a process that can often be daunting and bureaucratic for desperate families.
- Future Building: Profiling for job opportunities and skills development programmes, along with registration for various training initiatives. This component is vital, offering a constructive alternative and a sense of purpose post-recovery.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, a vocal advocate for community safety and youth development, has thrown his full weight behind the initiative. “We are ready to welcome all your children,” Premier Lesufi stated. “Where possible, we will admit them to relevant rehabilitation centres, and if badly sick, to hospitals. We hope to see you there; let us walk this journey together.”
The “Tswa Daar” programme represents a significant shift towards a more empathetic and proactive government intervention. It acknowledges that combating substance abuse requires a blend of immediate medical help, long-term social support, and the restoration of hope through economic opportunity, all delivered within the embrace of the community itself.
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