Online Reporter
Nodumo Moyo, [email protected]
Masiyephambili Junior Primary School will combine fashion, environmental awareness and anti-drug advocacy when it hosts its annual Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness Fashion Show and Sponsored Walk in Bulawayo on August 1.
The event, organised by the school’s deputy headmistress, Mrs Sijabulisiwe Nyathi, in partnership with Mrs Candy Huntley, is aimed at educating children and the wider community about the dangers of drug and substance abuse while encouraging environmental responsibility through fashion.
Activities will begin with a sponsored walk through Bulawayo. Participants will leave Masiyephambili Junior Primary School, proceed along Cecil Avenue to 12th Avenue (Fazak traffic lights) before returning to the school for the main programme.
The highlight of the day will be a fashion showcase, where pupils will demonstrate confidence, creativity and stage presence as they compete for the Mr and Miss Masiyephambili Junior Primary School titles. The pageant will also incorporate environmental themes, encouraging learners to appreciate recycling, sustainability and responsible stewardship of the environment.
The event will also feature performances by comedian Frank, Altar Dance Group, Melanie, Young Toss and The Hun, adding an entertainment element to the awareness campaign.
Mrs Nyathi said the school deliberately chose fashion as a creative platform to deliver important life lessons to children.
“We wanted to use fashion as a platform to communicate a powerful message that every child has value, purpose and a bright future worth protecting,” she said.
She said participants had undergone training in confidence-building, public speaking, stage etiquette and teamwork as part of their preparations.
Beyond the pageant, learners have also been taught about the dangers of drug and substance abuse and encouraged to pursue positive activities such as education, sport and the arts.
Mrs Huntley said entertainment and fashion were effective tools for communicating social messages to young audiences.
“Entertainment and fashion have the unique ability to capture attention, inspire imagination and influence behaviour,” she said.
The initiative has since expanded beyond the classroom to include parents and the wider community through workshops and awareness programmes. Earlier this year, the school reinforced its commitment by joining global commemorations of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in June.
