Thaba Tseka District Administrator Tlali Mphafi has called on young people and the wider community to break away from outdated thinking that limits the dreams of the youth, as the district grapples with high rates of teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.
Speaking at a UNFPA meeting, Mphafi expressed deep concern about how low expectations for young people, particularly girls, are fueling the crisis. He stressed that real change will only happen if everyone, including men and boys, works together to help youth see a future beyond early marriage and family life.
“Last year when I went to one of our facilities, I went to the maternity division. I met around 18 pregnant ladies. Of all of them, the oldest was 32, and the youngest was 13,” Mphafi said.
“When I asked them what they wished for their unborn babies, most of them only said they wanted their children to get married or go to initiation school. Some said they wanted their daughters to get married so they could have lots and lots of grandchildren.”
Mphafi said this mindset reveals a lack of vision for the future among young mothers. “This story is not very nice, but I always say it because it shows the true nature of the problem we have in the district. Many young mothers do not see a future for their children beyond starting families of their own,” he said. “We cannot afford to be stagnant. We cannot afford to do one thing repeatedly for years without a change. We need to move forward.”
The Demographic Health Survey 2023-2024 shows that Thaba Tseka district continues to record high rates of adolescent pregnancies and gender-based violence, with many girls forced to leave school early due to pregnancy.
To tackle these challenges, the district has partnered with organizations including UNFPA. Mphafi thanked the agency and other stakeholders for their support. “Thank you, UNFPA, for joining the learning system. We are running a race in Thaba Tseka because we want to make a change,” he said.
Mphafi outlined interventions being implemented, including procuring park homes and providing beds for mothers at health facilities. He also highlighted the importance of involving men and boys in the fight against GBV and teenage pregnancies.
“Women become the culprits of GBV, early teenage pregnancies, HIV, and sometimes they die. But the truth is, they do not get into these problems alone. They share these challenges with the males,” Mphafi said. “We can’t just engage girls or women alone. We need to engage their partners too.”
He shared plans to hold a special engagement for men in the district, saying he had postponed a Father’s Day event but would now work with UNFPA to merge their ideas and reach male community members.
UNFPA Representative John Kennedy Mosoti, also at the meeting, emphasised the importance of joint efforts to empower youth and prevent GBV. “We are doing some male engagement activities and also working on youth empowerment, GBV prevention, and other related issues that are linked to the work of UNFPA,” he said.
Mosoti noted that programs focused on training male nurses and working with head boys have proven successful in Mokhotlong and will be expanded. He said these efforts align with government accountability initiatives, particularly the revival of district planning units.
“If you’re able to turn around Thaba Tseka, we can turn around any other district in the country,” Mosoti said.
Both Mphafi and Mosoti called on everyone in the district, including youth, parents, and leaders, to help change attitudes and create a brighter future.
“We need to change. We need to give young people a chance at a better future, not just repeat the same old patterns,” Mphafi concluded.
Summary
- Thaba Tseka District Administrator Tlali Mphafi has called on young people and the wider community to break away from outdated thinking that limits the dreams of the youth, as the district grapples with high rates of teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.
- “This story is not very nice, but I always say it because it shows the true nature of the problem we have in the district.
- He shared plans to hold a special engagement for men in the district, saying he had postponed a Father’s Day event but would now work with UNFPA to merge their ideas and reach male community members.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
