The Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts & culture (Dsrac) launched the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme at the East London International Convention Centre on Tuesday.
The programme aims to address some of the urgent issues that affect sport stars and people in the creative industry, such as mental health, substance abuse, financial management and legal matters.
The department said the initiative was established in 2021 as a response to the escalating suicide cases in the arts and entertainment industries over the past few months. This gave birth to the programme ’s theme of “Suicide not the solution”. Dsrac deputy director general Dr Cynthia Khumalo said: “Silapha has a range of resources that are available to South African artists and athletes at no cost. “These include legal advice, mental health management, lifestyle management, financial management and substance abuse management. “The department was compelled by the dire circumstances and painful incidents that negatively impact the lives of our practitioners, to identify and develop programmatic interventions which can redress these challenges.”
The panel at the star-studded event, which was directed by veteran broadcaster and author Putco Mafani, consisted of multi-award-winning musicians Zahara and Gigi Lamayne, former IBF featherweight champion Vuyani Bungu, retired women’s rugby union player Mandisa Williams and seasoned actress Nambitha Mpumlwana.
Mafani shared his advice with the audience on how they dealt with mental health challenges, mistreatment from the industry and other relevant matters. “If you mess it up but you realise and change your ways, you will get second chances. “It’s not too late. You can still come back,” he said.
MEC Fezeka Nkonyane also expressed her concerns over the rising number of suicide cases in the creative industry and advised artists not to succumb to societal pressures and the demands of social media. “We have seen a steady rise of suicide cases among artists in recent month and that calls for urgent attention. “
“The pressure that society puts on artists and sports people, especially those who are in the public eye, is immense and often the beginning of their crumble. We understand that there are impossible expectations placed on you to live a certain lifestyle. You do not have to go down that road,” she said.
Dsrac project manager for gender-based violence and wellness programmes, Evile Dukashe, said Silaphe’s services were available online. Artists and sports figures needing counselling can call the toll-free number 080-000-7008, WhatsApp 060-709-7839 or SMS “wellness” to 48445. For more information, visit h t t p : / / w w w. s i l a p h a . o r g . z a
HELP IS AVAILABLE: Umhlobo Wenene FM presenter and author Putco Mafani served as programme director during the launch of the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme last week Picture: SUPPLIED
