AFTER being taken off air abruptly last year due to legal consent, Moja Love reality series Teenage Pregnancy is back.
Following the lives of three teenagers who are pregnant, the series has already set tongues wagging, with many people saying parents with boy children should also teach them to not use girls or coerce them into having sex.
According to producers, following the alarming statistics around teen pregnancy in the country, they could not turn a blind eye on what was happening within our communities.
So, they decided to shine a spotlight on the issue, that has worsened as a result of Covid-19.
Statistics paint a bleak picture with The Department of Basic Education reporting to Parliament that 136,386 babies were delivered to girls aged between 10 and 19 in public health facilities last year- just over 6 000 more than 2019.
The number of children born to teenage mothers has jumped by 60% since the start of the pandemic, especially in Gauteng.
According to the Gauteng Health Department, more than 23 000 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the province alone between April 2020 and March 2021, with 934 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 giving birth.
In a statement, head of channel Bokani Moyo told Daily Sun that the main aim of the show was to be educational and open the dialogue around teen pregnancy.
“Moja Love always reflects what happens in our communities in the most authentic and topical way. We identified three young women who were willing to share their journey around this topic – often seen as taboo,” she said.
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“The main aim is to be educational on teen pregnancy, which has grown exponentially within the past year, while also maintaining the welfare of participants with full-time psychological and other support.”
Teenage Pregnancy documents Ntando, Zanele and Amo (all 17), and their journey to becoming teenage mothers.
Each episode follows them as they navigate the bumpy terrain of adolescence and growing pains – while being pregnant.
“Each episode offers a unique look into the wide variety of challenges that pregnant teens face including family, adoption, religion, gossip, finances, high school and making incredibly adult decisions,” said Bokani.
She added that since teenage pregnancy was a sensitive matter and roller-coaster ride of emotions, even after the teens had given birth, the channel organised counselling for them and their parents.
Catch Moja Love's Teenage Pregnancy every Tuesdays at 9.30pm
