Clinix Health Group says that in its continued efforts to educate, inform and uplift the various communities within which it operates, it is collaborating with three of the country’s sport stars. Some of whom have struggled with substance use disorders and addiction at the prime of their careers. 

The campaign was launched at a media event held on Wednesday, 19 June at the Solomon 'Stix' Morewa Memorial Hospital, located in the South of Johannesburg. 

The following sport stars were unveiled as the campaign ambassadors who will work closely with the Clinix Health Group in driving the overarching messaging of fostering empathy and destigmatising addiction and substance use disorders:

1. Banyana Banyana Legend — Portia Modise

Modise is well remembered for her achievement of becoming the first African player to score 100 goals in international football back in 2014, says Clinx Health Group. 

According to Clinx, Modise hails from Soweto, where she recalls seeing her peers fall through the cracks, which led most to using drugs as a form of escapism.

The group adds that Modise established a foundation that aims to uplift communities by empowering women through life skills and leadership workshops through:

  • education
  • health
  • social integration, and
  • participation in sports.

2. Former Kaizer Chiefs and current TS Galaxy Star Player — Bernard Parker 

Parker is a former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder who now plays for PSL outfit, TS Galaxy.

Known on and off the field of play for his discipline, Parker is juggling a busy football schedule and school, says Clinix. In 2020, he obtained his qualification in sport management.  

3. Long Jump Olympic Silver Medallist — Luvo Manyonga

Manyonga is a 33-year-old athlete who has struggled with addiction for over a decade, says Clinix. 

According to the group, he was first 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.

Clinix Health Group says that his life took a turn for the better when he moved to Pretoria in 2015, where he earned a spot in the South African Olympic team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Manyonga earned a silver medal at the tournament.

After all the accolades and lucrative 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 2024, adds Clinix. 

"As the Clinix Health Group, we pride ourselves as a responsible corporate citizen that cares for the well-being of the communities we serve. 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," says Matshepo Majola, chief marketing officer of Clinix Health Group. 

"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," says Majola. 

Majola adds, "As a people-centred brand, we would like this campaign to not only raise awareness about the adverse effects of substance and illicit drugs 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."

The Clinix Health Group says that it will also collaborate with community-based organisations, schools and other stakeholders to host community engagement activations throughout the duration of the campaign. These will take place at various communities where Clinix wellness centres are located across Gauteng.

Majola concludes, "Our partnership with the three sport stars who will be our campaign ambassadors, in particular, was a deliberate move because we are convinced that their relatable individual stories will have a positive impact and aptly demonstrate how sport can have both positive and negative associations with substance use and addiction."

For more information, visit www.clinix.co.za. You can also follow Clinix Health Group on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor