By Nobuhle L. Ngema
The South African Council and Drug Independence (SANCA), was established in 1956, in response to the expressed need in dealing with the escalation of alcohol and other drug-related problems by the community. It is a non-governmental organisation, with a continuous mandate of preventing and treating alcohol and drug independence.
Nombulelo Qulu from Vosloorus, and Bongani Nhlapo from Spruit, also part of SANCA, took on the initiative to collaborate with other stakeholders such as Ekurhuleni Crime Unit, SAPS, Asibavikele Child Welfare (amongst many), and hosted Alternative Arts Revival for the community of Vila Liza and surrounding areas, on the 7th of March 2025, where several activities took place such as fun walk, physical fitness tournament of abogogo vs mojar ladies (different age groups), music dance, drama and poetry – all these to teach communities on how they can escape drugs through sports and art activities.
Bongani and Nombulelo came with this brilliant initiate through Ke Moja programme, because, Bongani mentions, “performing artists get the same feeling that a person who gets high from drugs gets.”
Nombulelo mentions how they’ve been looking forward to this day. She says, “we thought to ourselves: if we could get a chance, this is what we will do.”
And they were sure to successfully manage to combine different types of arts into one all pulled them in one event.
There are some stakeholders who pulled out, but that didn’t prevent them from continuing because at the end of the day, they said, it’s not about them… but the communities they are serving.
They decided to take advantage of the community of Vila Liza particularly, knowing it brews with talent, and ensured they make even the councillor aware of the initiative they were embarking on.
For more information on SANCA and their additional services, contact their office on: 072 694 4436
