This issue is important because the health of poor communities, who have no options like private health care, depends on Community Health Workers. In a context of deteriorating health and other social outcomes, the outsourcing of these workers threatens to lead to a further deterioration in the health of township residents. The issue is also important because the Minister is avoiding her constitutional responsibility of providing decent, affordable health care, as well as her constitutional responsibility of fair labour practice.

12 Million People go to bed on a hungry stomach every night in our country (http://m.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/?articleId=7906847)

Mining companies have been exploiting workers for decades when it has come to workers rights, safety and health. Many workers have died, slow painful deaths with no compensation, having worked in mines that produce gold used by jewellers. Public pressure forced regulation of conflict diamonds, and labelling of goods from Israel, now we need to use consumer power to transform the gold industrial complex.

Akhona is in grade eight. Like many of her classmates, she often misses school when she has her periods because her family cannot afford sanitary pads [1]. Akhona is not alone. On average in Mzansi. a girl will miss 60 days of school because of her period [2]. And some are forced to use socks, newspapers and worse because they can’t afford sanitary pads. Over time this can cause girls to drop-out completely. If they struggle through, they often find themselves unable to fully take part in school activities. Livity Africa's LiveVIPZA campaign, which initiated the parliament challenge, aims to present a plan in June on how to provide sanitary pads to low income communities to the Health Portfolio Committee. But the implementation requires that the Ministers of Basic Education, Health and Social Development kick start the plan. [1] I use a sock as a sanitary pad, says Langa learner http://www.groundup.org.za/article/i-use-sock-sanitary-pad-says-langa-learner_2418/ [2] Dignity Dreams article with information on how many girls miss school a month and in a year: http://www.ngopulse.org/organisation/dignity-dreams

Unemployment is an economic crisis, but surviving unemployment is also a mental health challenge. South Africa must respond to both. For two years, I have been unemployed. Like thousands of other young South Africans, I spent countless hours searching for work, rewriting my CV, applying for opportunities, and hoping that the next application would change everything. Most applications were met with silence or rejection. As the months passed, I realised unemployment doesn't only affect your finances. It changes how you see yourself. You begin questioning your worth. You wonder why everyone else seems to be moving forward while your life feels like it is standing still. Eventually, I needed help. I called the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), and through its helpline I was referred to a Job Seekers' Support Group. That phone call changed everything. Twice a week, I met online with other unemployed South Africans who understood exactly what I was going through. We shared job opportunities, improved one another's CVs, learnt about changes in the labour market, celebrated interviews, and encouraged one another through rejection. Most importantly, we reminded each other that unemployment is not a personal failure. It is not your identity. It is a chapter in your life, not the person you are. Without SADAG, I would never have found that support. My experience is deeply personal, but it is not unique. Across South Africa, millions of young people are facing the same uncertainty. Statistics South Africa reports that unemployment stands at 60.9% among young people aged 15–24 and 40.6% among those aged 25–34 [1]. At the same time, the World Health Organisation reports that South Africa has the fourth-highest suicide rate in Africa [2]. While unemployment is not the only cause of poor mental health or suicide, experts increasingly recognise that repeated rejection, financial pressure, and uncertainty can have a serious impact on a person's mental wellbeing. Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha, Education Project Manager at SADAG, says many unemployed young people describe feeling "hopeless, overwhelmed and stuck," while registered counsellor Vanishaa Gordhan Narotam explains that many begin to internalise the belief that they are "not good enough" or are "failing at life" [3]. Those words resonated with me because they describe feelings that so many unemployed young people experience but rarely talk about. Behind every unemployment statistic is a young person trying to hold on to hope while searching for an opportunity. When I needed help, I found it through SADAG. Thousands of other South Africans do the same every year. SADAG operates more than 30 national mental health helplines, including South Africa's only 24-hour Suicide Crisis Helpline, and supports more than 160 community-based support groups across the country [4]. These are not just numbers. They represent thousands of conversations, referrals, and moments when someone who feels alone is reminded that help is available. I know that because I am one of the people who found support through SADAG. According to SADAG Operations Director Cassey Chambers, demand for these services continues to grow [4]. This shows how important community-based mental health support has become and why organisations like SADAG play such a significant role in supporting unemployed young people. The Department of Health has recognised this reality. Dr Dudu Shiba has acknowledged that unemployment and other socioeconomic challenges are contributing to South Africa's growing mental health crisis. Through the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023–2030, the Department has committed to strengthening community-based mental health services and has said that it works with organisations such as SADAG [2]. These commitments are encouraging because they show that the government recognises the problem, but recognising the problem is only the first step. As someone who has received help from one of these organisations, I want to understand what these commitments mean in practice. If the Department says it is working with organisations like SADAG, what does that partnership involve? How are unemployed young people accessing these services? How is the Department strengthening community-based mental health support, and how is it measuring whether these partnerships are making a difference? This petition is not asking the Department to start from scratch. It is asking the Department to show unemployed young people how its commitments are being put into practice. Government has recognised the problem. Now it must show the public how its response is helping unemployed young people. When people know where to find support and understand how the government is working with organisations already providing it, they are more likely to reach out before they reach crisis point. I know I know what one phone call meant for me. Every unemployed young person deserves the opportunity to find that same support, hope and reminder that unemployment is not the end of their story. Please sign this petition and help us call for greater transparency, accountability, and stronger community-based mental health support for unemployed young South Africans. References 1. Statistics South Africa. 2025. Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), Quarter 1: 2025. [Online]. Available at: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=19526[Accessed 25 July 2026]. 2. Mkhwanazi, S. 2026. South Africa has fourth-highest suicide rate in Africa, the WHO says.TimesLIVE. 1 June. [Online]. Available at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-06-01-south-africa-has-fourth-highest-suicide-rate-in-africa-the-who-says/[Accessed 25 July 2026]. 3. IOL Reporter. 2026. Youth Month: The hidden mental health crisis behind South Africa's youth unemployment rate. IOL. 15 June. [Online]. Available at: https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/2026-06-15-youth-month-the-hidden-mental-health-crisis-behind-south-africas-youth-unemployment-rate/ [Accessed 25 July 2026]. 4. Koteli, N. 2026. Mental health support group in South Africa spends R150k per month on suicide helpline. The Citizen. 11 June. [Online]. Available at: https://www.citizen.co.za/business/mental-health-support-group-in-south-africa-spends-r150k-per-month-on-suicide-helpline/ [Accessed 25 July 2026].

The number of burn victims is raising because of faulty prima stoves that explode. My sister Khensani, was unfortunately one of the victims/survivors in October 2019. She was preparing Sunday lunch for her children when all of a sudden the primus stove that she was using exploded and her face and abdomen caught fire. She was in ICU for weeks and she's still in hospital three months later at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. Ever since this incidence we've discovered that she hasn't been the only one to experience this horror. We've met a number of other patients who have burned because of faulty primus stoves. This is a terrible ordeal that no one should ever have to experience, life has been very difficult for the whole family ever since. Khensani has 4 handsome sons who almost lost their mother because of this, Every South African citizen SHOULD have electricity! Primus stoves should be banned.

Children from age 1 to 6 got a very innovative education and my intake of children in 1 year is the proof that We provided a holistic education .

Between late 2017 and early 2018 our country went down in history for the biggest listeria outbreak in history, affecting over 1000 people and killing almost 300. Many families were robbed of their loved ones by the very thing they work to put on their table- food. Thousands of lives were affected by the decisions of a group of individuals employed by the biggest and most indispensable industry in the universe, its all good and well that the perpetrators are being held accountable for their actions and it is also commendable that they are cooperative and willing to attempt to compensate for the damage caused (though 300 fold irreversible)- my issue is not about corrective action, its in preventative action, the listeria outbreak should have opened our eyes to the fact that the giant that is our food industry is not indestructible, in fact in as much as the industry is one of our greatest assets, it can easily turn into our biggest serial killer, with unsuspecting civilians as its prey and deadly bacteria as its modus operandi- we need to implement not only corrective action but preventative action as well, surely we can't wait until another outbreak or more lives lost before we educate society that listeria is not the only food-related pathogen? That there are a handful of other deadly germs that are waiting for ideal conditions to pounce. I think Africa has always placed so much focus on food availability and food security and I feel that not enough emphasis has been placed on what we should look out for when we finally get our hands on food. We need to educate the general public on what to look out for, how to prepare and store food safely, what to do when they suspect food is unsafe etc to help prevent another negative world record again.

Ensuring our children aren't hungry is our first priority as a community, but often the cheapest foods are unhealthy and can lead to health issues in our children, now and in the future, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint pain and certain cancers, which can be the result of lack of access to healthy food. We asked your school questions about what food most learners buy for lunch, and most said they buy kotas from vendors with sugary drinks. Learners also bought ice lollies, sweets and ice creams. This is not a balanced diet, and what we eat affects how much we can concentrate, and how sick we will get in the future. We use to have to just worry about HIV/AIDS, TB and other diseases, but now diseases like type 2 diabetes are increasing in our communities. The other reason we are getting sicker is because greedy junk food companies are aggressively marketing their products in our schools. But we can change this, if enough of us come together, we can ensure our voices are heard by the the MECs of Education and Health. If you don’t have email, you can join the campaign for free by dialing this code on your phone *134*1994*456#