Following on the pioneering footsteps of Amajuba District Municipality Mayor, Cllr. uMntwana Ndabuko Zulu in promoting awareness towards the eradication of countless stigmas surrounding mental health related disorders.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, today 10 October 2023 joined the global community to commemorate World Mental Health Day under the district of Amajuba.

Held at the Madadeni Hospital Sports Field, the mental health programme led by the Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla alongside Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sbongiseni Dlomo ,Kwazulu Natal MEC of Health, Ms.Nomagugu Simelane sought to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to support individuals with living with mental health issues.

The mental health programme is an extension of the efforts to the district’s first of its kind brain health intervention piloted by uMntwana Ndabuko Zulu in commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Day last month.

Under the theme “In Unity for Dementia”, the Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality wrapped up the month of September by hosting a dementia initiative with the aim to encourage the pivotal role communities play in creating a culture that is more understanding of and better responsive to dementia linked behaviours.

Addressing the event attended by national and provincial dignitaries such as, Mr SS Buthelezi, Director General : National Department of Health, Dr Owen Kuluwa of the World Health Organisation, Adv. B Majola, Chairperson: South African Human Rights Commission, and Dr S Dhlomo, MP, Deputy Minister of Health , the honourable Mayor stressed on the critical importance of safeguarding everyone's mental health as a fundamental human right.

"A person's mental health condition should never be used as an excuse to deny them of their human rights. Regardless of their mental health concerns, everyone is entitled to the best possible quality of mental health, the right to liberty, and inclusion in society.” Remarked, uMntwana Ndabuko Zulu.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Sbongiseni Dlomo echoed the sentiments expressed by uMntwana Ndabako regarding mental health and hinted that it is imperative to combat the plague of drug and alcohol abuse as these behaviours offer significant risks for mental health disorders.

Issued by

Amajuba District Communications