Asavela Sikhobondiya is a deputy secretary at Jeppe SAPS Youth Desk.
Sikhobondiya said she has been a volunteer for four years now. “Crime in the area is high. I used to see my peers using drugs while others were committing different crimes. I then volunteered at Jeppe Youth Desk as I wanted to make a difference in my community,” she said.
“My job entails taking minutes, booking the boardroom for meetings, writing reports and arranging meetings,” she said.
After matriculating in the Eastern Cape, Sikhobondiya arrived in Johannesburg to further her studies at Falcon Business Institute where she studied film and television production.
“After completing my qualification, I did not find a job in film and television. Instead of sitting at home every day, I decided to volunteer at Jeppe SAPS.
“I enjoy my job and I work with my peers. I also believe that there are many ways to fight crime and engage with the youth. We organise sports and drama events where we get the youth together and keep them away from the streets,” she said.
Sikhobondiya advised the youth to lend a helping hand in their community.
“Even though you won’t get paid, just do something that will uplift your community. Visit nearby police stations and ask about Youth Desk and join. The future of this country is in our hands. We’re the future leaders,” she said.
