As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, Keready, the dynamic youth-led health movement, urges the nation to remember the importance of empowering and investing in young people – not just during this dedicated time, but throughout the year.
“Let’s celebrate Youth Month by investing in the health and well-being of young people – this month and every month. Together, we can build a healthier and more empowered future for all,” says Dr Inga Mgaleli who leads the movement in the Ekuhurleni and Sedibeng districts.
Keready recognises the immense potential young people hold in shaping a healthier future for themselves and their communities. The movement goes beyond providing health information and services for youth advocacy; they call to provide a platform for young voices to be heard and a springboard for action.
“Youth Month is a powerful reminder that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, but active changemakers today,” says Dr Anda Gxolo, one of the leaders in the Eastern Cape. “At Keready, we believe in amplifying youth voices in the health space, fostering awareness about critical health issues, and equipping them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their peers.”
Keready offers a unique space for young people to engage with their health through their team of over 400 young doctors, nurses, mobilisers, communicators and drivers reaching out to youth through various channels including door-to-door mobilisation. Their 46 mobile health clinic teams have served over 3.4 million people in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Nearly 100,000 people have used the confidential 24/7 WhatsApp line to ask questions and get health information. Engaging content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram keeps young people informed and interested in their health. Keready has reached over 700,000 learners with informative and interactive health talks that the teams give at schools.
All in all, Keready provides trustworthy health information, advocacy tools and a safe space for dialogue. “We cut through the noise with clear, reliable information on a range of health topics relevant to young people. We empower young people to become advocates for their health and the health of their communities. Our platforms and public health talks encourage open conversations about mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and overall well-being,” says Dr Madaliso Phiri, who is a leader in the King Cetshwayo district in KwaZulu-Natal.
Young people are invited to join the movement and stay connected with the latest health information, by following Keready across social media platforms @kereadysa and connecting on WhatsApp 060 019 0000.
