I have a passion for community development and being involved in community activities.
I often use my career as a journalist to expose those who are also working to bring change in their communities so their work can be recognised by the country at large.
Four months ago I packed my bags in the City of Tshwane and moved to Ekurhuleni after being appointed as a journalist for African Reporter.
I had to move to KwaThema full-time because I could not afford to travel to and from my home town, Hammanskraal, north of Tshwane daily.
With the paper being a community mouthpiece for Kwatsaduza, I had to start building contacts and relationships with the residents.
One of the things I fell in love with in these communities is their love for development through sports.
Every child of schoolgoing age is kept busy through different sporting codes, be they soccer, cricket, netball and karate after school and on weekends.
Believe me when I say every single weekend, and sometimes during the weeks, there is a tournament running.
I believe through such initiatives young people are kept too busy to have enough time on their hands to participate in social ills that include substance abuse and crime.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying these areas are holier than others but I feel that everyone is working together and pulling in the same direction to fight for a better tomorrow for the young people.
For this I would like to take my hat off and salute those who find time to mentor and coach these children into becoming responsible adults.
I know it can’t be easy because you often have to dig deep into your own pockets to sponsor the trips to tournaments.
For that I say your efforts are recognised and you are the heroes and heroines of these communities.
I salute you for not giving up during trying times; I salute you for sacrificing your family time to spend it with these children.
Believe me when I say you might not be able to change the lives of every child but you are changing a life for the better and may you also gain strength to keep on keeping on.
