Johannesburg – The Gauteng Provincial Government has stepped up its fight against substance abuse through a new initiative called ‘Tswa Daar’, a provincial campaign aimed at curbing drug and alcohol abuse while strengthening partnerships with local communities and the media.
The province recently hosted an engagement with community media representatives to present the Gauteng Anti-Substance Campaign: Tswa Daar*, an initiative designed to deepen collaboration between government, civil society, and the media in tackling substance abuse.
Gauteng Government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the engagement was a significant effort to build stronger relationships between the Gauteng government and local media houses, acknowledging their vital role in public education and awareness.
The official launch of Tswa Daar will take place on 27 October 2025, led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi in partnership with the Department of Social Development. The campaign will form part of the province’s broader and indefinite anti-substance abuse strategy, involving multiple departments and community partners.
As part of the rollout, a school outreach programme will see MECs and senior officials visiting schools in areas such as Tembisa, Orlando, Khutsong, and Westonaria to educate learners on the dangers of substance use and provide information on available support services.
The campaign will also include the following key activities and commitments:
- Workshops with the liquor industry, facilitated by the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB);
- Engagements with councillors and traditional leaders, coordinated by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CogTA);
- Health Department amplification of campaign messages through its platforms;
- Social Development’s “Ke Moja Bakae” project, which documents and shares success stories of rehabilitated substance users — launching soon in the Sedibeng District, including Lesedi;
- Law enforcement efforts by Social Crime Prevention officers across the province; and
- Coordinated marketing efforts, where other departments and agencies will assist in driving campaign visibility on social media and local platforms.
The Department of Social Development confirmed that the campaign will be implemented in collaboration with NPO partners already providing substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation services across Gauteng.
In Lesedi, these efforts have been ongoing throughout the year through the Ke Moja outreach programme, which continues to reach schools and communities with anti-drug education and support. A new rehabilitation centre is also in the final stages of being complete.
When asked whether community media will receive financial or advertising support through the campaign, the Office of the Premier clarified that no dedicated advertising budget has been set aside at this stage.
However, officials emphasised that departments will be encouraged to prioritise community media platforms for future communication spending, recognising them as key pillars of local democracy.
Mhlanga explained how the directive from all spheres of government should use community radio stations to spread information and engage with citizens countrywide.
The engagement session concluded with networking among government communicators and community media representatives, marking the start of a more unified provincial approach to fighting substance abuse.
*The ‘Tswa Daar’ campaign – meaning “Get Out of There” – symbolises a powerful call to action for communities and individuals trapped by substance abuse, urging them to step out of addiction and towards recovery. Through initiatives like this, the Gauteng Government aims to build safer, drug-free communities and strengthen the role of local partners in promoting hope and rehabilitation.