Brother-to-Brother Programme Benefitting 500 Boys Annually in Magwegwe District

By Andile Vundla

The Brother-to-Brother programme implemented by DotYouth in partnership with the National AIDS Council (NAC) at Silwane Youth Centre in Old Pumula, Magwegwe District, is steadily gaining ground, with at least 500 boys and young men being mentored each year under a structured intervention aimed at reducing HIV infections and addressing rising social challenges such as drug and substance abuse.

The initiative targets boys and young men aged between 10 and 24 years old, equipping them with life skills, sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and behavioural guidance as communities continue to grapple with substance abuse, peer pressure, unemployment and limited access to reliable health information.

Speaking during a NAC-organised media tour, DotYouth Executive Director Vezimpilo Ncube said the programme is deliberately anchored within communities to ensure that interventions reflect the lived realities of young people.

“Brother-to-Brother seeks to empower adolescent boys and young men with knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights, life skills and the capacity to navigate everyday challenges,” said Ncube. “We are intentionally working from within communities because that is where the real challenges and solutions exist.”

Ncube said the approach ensures that prevention work goes beyond awareness campaigns and focuses on sustained behavioural change among adolescents.

The programme is supported by the National AIDS Council through training, mentorship capacity building, and integration into national reporting frameworks, including the District Health Information System (DHIS2), which tracks outcomes and service delivery across districts.

At the centre of it, is a structured mentorship system that relies on trained community mentors who work closely with groups of young men throughout the year. Ten mentors are deployed to support 500 beneficiaries annually, with each mentor guiding about 50 mentees through continuous engagement sessions.

NAC Magwegwe District Coordinator Kenneth Ncube said the programme was introduced in response to worrying health trends in the district, where hospital data had indicated a rise in STI and HIV infections and risky behaviour among men and young males.

“We are seeing a pattern where young men are increasingly affected, yet they are often the least likely to seek health services early,” said Ncube. “This programme helps us close that gap by taking information, mentorship and services directly into communities.”

He added that the partnership with DotYouth is strengthening community-level HIV prevention efforts while also improving early intervention for substance abuse and mental health challenges among adolescents.

Beyond health education, the programme also integrates structured referral systems that connect participants to youth-friendly health services, strengthening early access to care and support.

For many beneficiaries, the impact is already visible. One young participant said the programme has helped him change his lifestyle and make more responsible choices after previously struggling with alcohol abuse.

“I used to drink “injengu” and spend most of my time in the streets, but through the programme I have changed,” he said. “Now I am involved in football and other activities that keep me focused and away from bad influence.”

Another beneficiary said peer pressure had previously pushed him into substance abuse and strained relationships at home, but mentorship had helped him rebuild discipline and purpose.

“I was using marijuana and often clashed with my parents because of my behaviour,” he said. “Through Brother-to-Brother, I have learned to make better decisions and stay away from negative influences.”