Webster siblings keep their father’s legacy alive

Libradene’s spiritual ‘guru’ Sid Webster is still dearly missed by friends, family and members of the Boksburg community.

Sid died in August last year after a long battle with deteriorating health.

Today, his spirit lives on and his legacy is being kept alive by two of his children, Sheryl Ann Smit and Brad Webster.

By all observations, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the upliftment of the human spirit.

Just as Sid dedicated his life to developing his talents and enlightening others about how to discover their passions in life, Sheryl Ann and Brad are continuing his caring and inspiring manner of giving back and helping people grow.

Their dad specialised in holistic brain training, motivational speaking, marriage guidance, trauma counselling, goal setting and spiritual awareness.

Sheryl Ann is continuing with motivational speaking and Brad is stepping forward with counselling.

• Gift

“My brother Brad inherited my father’s gift,” said Sheryl Ann.

“Our father cared for so many people and now we are all about helping people grow, getting the best out of people and giving back to the community.”

Brad has found his passion in addiction counselling.

“So many families in Boksburg struggle with addiction. It is important to educate the community about addiction – it is a disease,” said Brad.

He is the director of an addiction consultancy and referral agency that provides professional and affordable outpatient treatment for the individual who has completed inpatient treatment as an ongoing support structure to remain in long term recovery.

Brad is also following in his father’s footsteps by focusing on the well being of the Boksburg community and also conducts family workshops, individual and family consultations and interventions.

His counselling takes place in the same Libradene home where his father worked every day. He also works with Addiction Counsellor Certification South Africa by training teachers and members of the community to be certified addiction counsellors.

Brad and Sheryl Ann visit schools in the East Rand, providing information and guidance on addiction to children and teachers.

According to the siblings, their dad taught them there is always a way and there is always a solution – you should never give up.

“Addiction doesn’t mean it is the end,” said Brad.

“My greatest reward is seeing an addict coming out of the darkness and moving toward the light of life.”

Sid focused on the mind and why we are doing the things we are doing, it is the same with addiction and Brad is looking into why someone turns to substances in order to help them with their addiction.

He emphasised that it is vital to make people with addictions aware that they have nothing to be ashamed about.

Sheryl Ann’s promotions business focuses on getting funding and publicity for charity organisations and fund-raisers.

“People are my passion and my philosophy is to pay it forward. I recently gave a talk entitled ‘Know Your Worth’ to women to motivate and remind them that they can better their lives,” said Sheryl Ann.

“Our dad touched so many lives. His funeral was a testimony to how many people he influenced – there were about 900 people at his funeral.

“Our dad taught us a selfless way to live life and he was all about giving back,” said Brad.

“We miss him terribly and still want him here, to hear his voice and his guidance. He is still here as his spirit lives on,” Sheryl Ann said.

“It is very important to us to keep our dad’s legacy alive in the work that we do every day.

• History

The siblings said they were raised on a strong religious and spiritual foundation.

Still, not the strongest religious upbringing or spiritual background can ensure an addiction-free life and both siblings have a history of substance abuse.

Brad is a recovered addict for the past nine years. He had trouble with alcohol and substance abuse for many years and had his first drink at the age of 12.

According to Brad, it is shocking to see how easily accessible drugs are in Boksburg. He has lived in Boksburg his whole life and his addiction was fuelled in the city – he used anything from marijuana to cocaine and ecstasy.

“It can happen to anyone, no matter where you come from,” said Brad.

“Addiction does not discriminate,” his sister concurred.

ALSO READ: Spiritual ‘guru’ Sid Webster dies 

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