Tshepanang (“Trust each other!” in English) is one of Tsibogang’s four groups dedicated to prevention work among young people. With eighty-five members, the so-called “peer educators”, Tshepanang is active in three different regions and educates students about topics that are often taboo in the local culture. The peer educators not only function as teachers, but also as trusted contacts for students who might not otherwise have a confidant. 
The focus of this year’s workshop was on gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse, two current challenges in South Africa that need to be addressed early on in school. The workshop featured a variety of discussion sessions that covered the causes of GBV, healthy relationships, women’s rights, and anger management. A particular focus was on sexual harassment, a problem that the peer educators have observed in many schools.
Each day, mentors gave two demo lessons, followed by feedback rounds. In small groups, we developed our own teaching units, which we presented on a trial basis. Short breaks with communal singing helped to break up the intensive workshop. 
In addition to the teaching units, there were informative presentations in the evening, including on the topics of communication, the current situation, and changes in the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as measures to protect against HIV. The financial situation of Tsibogang, which is currently very tense, was also discussed.
The workshop also served to evaluate the past year and to plan upcoming activities. The rules of Tshepanang, the so-called “Code of Conduct”, were also reviewed again in this context.
The workshop was an inspiring experience for me. The work of the peer educators is invaluable, as they play a significant role in education and prevention with their commitment and knowledge. Tshepanang makes a decisive contribution to promoting awareness and responsibility among young people in South Africa. 
Hanna Brunn
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)