The Clinix Health Group has announced TS Galaxy striker Bernard Parker, Banyana Banyana legend Portia Modise, and Olympic silver medalist Luvo Manyonga as its ambassadors in a campaign that seeks to educate and raise awareness about prevalent substance addiction.
The campaign was launched at a media event at Clinix’s Solomon “Stix” Morewa Memorial Hospital in the south of Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Founded in 1992 by Dr Khamane Obed Peter Matseke, the black-owned hospital group runs eight healthcare facilities across South Africa.
Clinix chief marketing officer, Matshepo Majola, said: “As the Clinix Health Group, we pride ourselves on being a responsible corporate citizen that cares for the wellbeing of the communities we serve.
People-centred brand
“This awareness campaign is very important to us, as our country is faced with a mammoth drug problem that cuts across all races, classes, and age groups.
“Statistics shockingly reveal that one in four pre-teens have experimented with psychoactive drugs and that a third of South Africans, who are 15 years and older, are current drinkers and almost 60% of those engage in binge drinking.”
Majola explained further: “As a people-centred brand, we would like this campaign to not only raise awareness about the adverse effects of substance and illicit drug use but to also drive a message of empathy that will encourage individuals struggling with substance use disorders and addiction to seek help and get support, which is what we offer at our various wellness centres across Gauteng.”
Parker, Modise, and Manyongo will work closely with Clinix to drive the overarching message of fostering empathy and destigmatising addiction and substance use disorders.
Modise is well-remembered for her highest achievement of becoming the first African player to score 100 goals in international football back in 2014.
A form of escapism
Modise hails from Soweto in the south of Johannesburg, where she recalls growing up in Jabavu and seeing her peers fall through the cracks, which led most to using drugs as a form of escapism.
She established a foundation that aims to uplift communities by empowering women using life skills and leadership workshops through education, health, social integration, and participation in sports.
Parker is a former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder who now plays for Premier Soccer League outfit TS Galaxy.
Parker, known on and off the field of play for his discipline, is juggling a busy football schedule and school.
In 2020, he completed his studies and obtained his qualification in sport management.
18-month ban from athletics
Manyonga is a 33-year-old athlete who has struggled with addiction for over a decade. He was suspended in 2012 for 18 months when crystal meth was detected in his urine.
After fully serving his suspension, he continued using drugs and was involved in criminal activities.
His life took a turn for the better when he moved to Pretoria in 2015, where he showed his dedication and commitment by training hard, which earned him a spot in the South African Olympic team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Manyonga bagged a silver medal at the tournament.
However, after all the accolades and multimillion-rand endorsements at the height of his career, Manyonga, unfortunately, suffered a relapse in 2020, which led to a four-year ban that ends in December.
