Powering youth potential to protect their future dreams.
CAPE TOWN, 21 May 2025: TB HIV Care (THC) in collaboration with Cape Town TV, has co-produced four talk show episodes that directly confront some of the most pressing issues facing South African youth today: substance use, sex education, teenage pregnancy, and HIV & AIDS. These episodes are part of a nine-part series titled Realtalk, airing in May and June 2025. These episodes are more than just conversations, THC, one of the country’s leading public health partners is taking bold steps to address widespread public health challenges by putting youth voices and expert insights at the forefront to navigate complex social and health realities in communities.
“Empowering young people with accurate, accessible public health information is not just an investment in their future, it’s a safeguard for the health and resilience of entire communities. It’s about giving them the tools to take charge of their lives”, says Harry Hausler M.D., Chief Executive Officer, TB HIV Care.
The first episode will focus on substance use, examining the root causes of substance use and alcohol consumption among youth, its impact on families and communities, and highlighting real-life stories of recovery and resilience. The second episode will address sex education, providing age-appropriate, factual discussions around consent, healthy relationships, and sexual well-being, aiming to equip young people with the knowledge to make informed choices.
In the third episode, the spotlight will be on teenage pregnancy, exploring the emotional and social realities of teen parenthood, the challenges of navigating limited support systems, and the far-reaching consequences that shape young lives. The final episode will tackle HIV & AIDS, debunking persistent myths, encouraging early testing, and emphasising the importance of treatment adherence in leading long, healthy lives.
All episodes will broadcast at 16:30 (SAST) on the scheduled dates and listed platforms.
| Episode | Date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Substance use | 21 May | DStv channel 263 |
| Sex education | 11 June | Free-to-air channel 32 |
| Teenage pregnancy | 18 June | FreeVision channel 331 |
| HIV & AIDS | 25 June | Cape Town TV YouTube channel |
“When youth understand their health rights and choices, they are better equipped to make informed decisions, resist harmful influences, and become agents of positive change”, says Aziel Gangerdine, Spokesperson, TB HIV Care.
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa face a dual burden of teenage pregnancy and heightened vulnerability to HIV, driven by overlapping socio-economic challenges. Women account for 64% of the 7.5 million adults living with HIV in the country, with girls aged 15–19 and young women aged 20–24 being twice as likely to be living with HIV as their male peers(1). In addition to youth health risks, AGYW face significant mental health pressures. A UNICEF U-Report survey found that 73% of youth expressed a need for mental health support, with 38% actively seeking help(2).
In South Africa, research shows that substance use is more common in urban schools, but there is a growing trend of increased use in rural areas as well(3),(4). A study conducted in South Africa among learners aged 14 to 20 in a rural district of the Free State found that 47% reported using substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, and dagga (marijuana), with 54% of participants being female and 46% male3. Key drivers of substance use among adolescents include peer pressure, poverty, unemployment, and limited parental supervision. The consequences are far-reaching and include addiction, health issues, risky sexual behaviour, poor academic performance, and greater exposure to violence.
For 96 years THC has proven its critical role as an indispensable partner in public health through its unwavering commitment to empowering young people and underserved communities through accessible, evidence-based content. The Realtalk series aims to dismantle stigma and foster open dialogue.
Note:
- This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of three financial assistance awards totalling $23 104 561.00 with 99% percent funded by CDC/HHS and additional financial assistance totalling $120 387.11 with 1% funded by the Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa (NACOSA).
- The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
References:
- Cassim N, Coetzee LM, da Silva MP, Glencross DK, Stevens WS. Assessing very advanced HIV disease in adolescent girls and young women. South African Journal on HIV Med. 2023;24(1):1501. Published 2023 Jul 20.
- https://www.unicef.org
- Mokwena KE, Setshego NJ. Substance abuse among high school learners in a rural education district in the Free State province, South Africa. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2021;63(1):e1-e6. Published 2021 Aug 23. doi:10.4102/safp.v63i1.5302
- Shuro L, Waggie F. Trends in socio-demographic characteristics and substance use among high school learners in a selected district in Limpopo Province, South Africa. BMC Public Health. 2024 May 27;24(1):1407. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18927-7. PMID: 38802772; PMCID: PMC11129414.
Issued by:
Aziel Gangerdine
TB HIV Care, Spokesperson
E-mail: aziel@tbhivcare.org
Cell: +27 (0) 66 545 6053
ENDS.
TB HIV Care
TB HIV Care is a registered non-profit company (NPC) that puts integrated care at the heart of responding to TB, HIV, and other major diseases. We work to prevent, find and treat TB and HIV in South Africa as well as targeting our interventions to address the needs of populations most at risk, including communities in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, adolescent girls and young women in KwaZulu-Natal, inmates in correctional centres, sex workers and people who inject drugs.
