Sefora Ntombela
Former Free State Premier and Deputy President of the ANC Women’s League, Sefora Ntombela, has appealed for a collective effort to confront the escalating crisis of teen pregnancy within communities.
Hosting a heartfelt community programme, which culminated in a prayer service dedicated to fighting against gender-based violence and the undermining of women’s rights on Friday, alongside Matsatsi Mofokeng, the Speaker of Mafube local municipality, Ntombela is championing a significant cause.
Her foundation, the Sefora Ntombela Foundation, established in 2019, is at the forefront of women’s development, tackling issues from HIV and AIDS to violence against women, community empowerment projects, and more, depending on the specific needs identified within communities.
Addressing the gathering in Namahadi, Frankfort, Mme Ma-Ntombela expressed the gravity of their mission, “Today, we gather here not just in prayer but in firm action against the scourges of gender-based violence and the undermining of women’s rights. It is a privilege to address such a passionate crowd on issues that deeply affect our community, our families, and our future.”
Highlighting the stark realities faced by the youth, she shared alarming statistics, “In our beloved Free State, 27% of our population is vibrant individuals aged between 10 and 24 years. Yet, the latest data reveals a distressing tale: 13.3% of births in healthcare facilities come from girls between 10 to 19 years old, with districts like Fezile Dabi and Thabo Mofutsanyana seeing even higher rates that call for urgent attention.”
The former Premier pointed out the profound implications of these numbers, noting, “Imagine the plight of a young girl, barely stepping into adolescence, thrust into motherhood. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 14 girls aged between 10 to 14 years faced childbirth in medical facilities across our province. These are children having children; each number is a life altered, a future compromised, and a potential unmet.”
Ntombela highlighted that teenage pregnancy not only reflects a health crisis but also constitutes a severe form of gender-based violence – a systemic and societal issue reflecting coercion, lack of choice, or exploitation. In response to the crisis, she outlined the measures undertaken so far, including the increase of youth zones to 163 for better access to sexual and reproductive health services, and collaborations with educational institutions to promote long-acting reversible contraceptives among vulnerable groups, like first-year students.
However, Ntombela said that institutional actions alone are insufficient. “We need familial and community engagement to truly protect and empower our girls,” she stressed. She called for a collective effort to support young women through education, compassionate care, and relentless advocacy against any form of violence threatening their dignity and rights.
Concluding her appeal, Ntombela evoked the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” She urged for unity in the fight against the crisis, emphasizing, “Let us unite in this critical cause, for the sake of every young girl in our community, in our Free State, in South Africa. Together, let’s shape a future where every girl can thrive, free from fear, free from violence, and full of possibilities.”
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