KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane. | Supplied
Durban — The current economic climate, poor parenting, and society normalising teenage pregnancy are some of the concerns surrounding older men impregnating young girls.
This was the opinion of Ikusasa Ngelami founder Zonke Shazi-Hlongwane.
She aims to curb teenage pregnancy in KwaZulu-Natal. Hlongwane responded to increasing calls for 'intensive' dialogue with teenagers regarding sexual and reproductive health.
This was after KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane revealed that a 14-year-old was allegedly impregnated by a 23-year-old. While revealing that 47 babies were born on Christmas Day in the province Simelane took a moment to address a pressing issue overshadowing the festivities: the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in the province.
“Among the mothers giving birth today, we have three 15-year-olds and a number of other teen mothers who are just 16 and 17 years old,” she reported gravely.
‘‘This trend is unacceptable and reflects a broader societal challenge that robs young girls of their childhood,“ she said.
The first Christmas baby in KwaZulu-Natal was a healthy boy born at Osindisweni Hospital right at the stroke of midnight, weighing in at 3.5 kg.
Simelane highlighted a new strategic plan addressing the rampant issue of teenage pregnancies.
Notably, she recounted a troubling case involving a 14-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man, which constitutes statutory rape. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health spokesperson Nathi Olifant said they could not divulge further information on the case.
In her address, Simelane called upon parents, older men, and the community to foster open conversations around relationships, respect, and responsible behaviour.
Meanwhile, Shazi-Hlongwane said that poverty is also a contributing factor and that the issue of financial literacy plays a part.
“I have heard some teenagers talking about the support grant and that they will make a certain amount of money. Government must create more employment because that will be an incentive for those who work hard and study,” Shazi-Hlongwane said.
“Social media has also made such cases seem normal.
‘‘In my book titled Girl You Are Enough, I outline survival tips for township girls because there is township culture and there are things that seem normal but they are not, it is just that they have been done too often in that area.
‘‘Such things are young girls dating sugar daddies," she said.
Shazi-Hlongwane recommended that parents must be honest with themselves, be aware that there are many pornographic media at their children's disposal and that although sex before marriage is taboo, many young people do practice it.
"Many of these children are not aware of how to practice safe sex and they do not have information or any hope for the future.
‘‘Most Imbizo or One on ones' that I have had with young boys and girls, I gathered that they have fear of being open with their parents yet they want to experience many things blindly," Shazi-Hlongwane said.
The founder of Stand Out Foundation, Zandile Mthimkhulu said that in her line of work in rural communities, most people do not have a full understanding of what statutory rape means.
Mthimkhulu said that once the baby’s father pays damages to the family of the girl, they find no need to open a criminal case against him.
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