Morning Cruise on Bush Radio: Intyatyambo Yesizwe Empowering Young Mothers in eMfuleni

Morning Cruise on Bush Radio recently spoke with Intyatyambo Yesizwe, a community organization working in eMfuleni to support young mothers and raise awareness about teenage pregnancy. The conversation highlighted the realities many young mothers face, the importance of community support, and the practical ways the organization is helping young women return to school and rebuild their lives.

Intyatyambo Yesizwe is an NGO founded in 2019, starting with just 10 young girls and growing to support over 350 young mothers today. Their work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief:

A young mother’s potential does not end when she falls pregnant. With the right support system, she can continue building her future.

A major part of Intyatyambo Yesizwe’s mission is prevention through awareness. The organization visits schools and speaks directly with young girls about:

 

• The importance of staying focused on education
• The real-life challenges that can come with teenage pregnancy
• Making informed choices and thinking ahead

What makes these visits especially impactful is that young mothers from the organization often share their personal experiences, speaking honestly about the difficulties they encountered and encouraging learners not to repeat the same path.

During the interview, Intyatyambo Yesizwe emphasized that many young mothers come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and pregnancy can add pressure to families already struggling financially.

Some of the most common challenges mentioned included:

• Financial strain at home after the baby arrives
• Mental health struggles, often linked to stress, stigma, and lack of support
• Single-parent realities, where the father is absent
• Feeling “stuck”, especially when education is disrupted

 

This feeling of being stuck was described as very common, particularly when young mothers do not have a strong support system.

Intyatyambo Yesizwe actively works to help young mothers return to education and stay on track. Their support includes:

 

• Advocating at schools so pregnant learners can continue their education
• A yearly Back-to-School program, providing:
• Stationery
• School uniforms
• Assistance with school fees (where needed)
• Support for baby essentials, depending on each young mother’s situation

Their goal is clear: to ensure young mothers do not get left behind, but instead are supported to “bounce back” and continue building their lives.

A key message from the interview was that communities and families must reduce stigma and replace judgment with support. The organization called for:

• Encouragement instead of emotional harm
• Less stigma and more compassion
• A home environment where young mothers are supported, not shamed

The interview stressed that harsh words and judgment can deepen a young mother’s struggles at a time when she already feels isolated.

For young listeners tuning in, the advice was simple and direct:

Think before you act. Make choices that protect your future.

Intyatyambo Yesizwe can be reached via WhatsApp at:

📱 063 007 4609

They also shared that they are currently running a nappy drive, responding to increased need during wet weather. Community members who are able to contribute are encouraged to support by donating nappies to help young mothers, both those at school and those at home.

Morning Cruise on Bush Radio thanks Intyatyambo Yesizwe for sharing their story and for the important work they continue to do in eMfuleni.

Written: by Esethu Thetha - Facebook profile: Esethu Thetha 

Presenter: Luntu Xhametshata