Katlehong local up for Man of the Year title
Life coach, youth mentor, training facilitator, motivational speaker, director and founder of the Future Shapers Foundation, Ntokozo Mwelase, is a nominee in this year’s South African Men of the Year Awards under the Man of the Year, Leadership and Youth categories.
Ntokozo Mwelase’s enthusiasm and passion for the betterment of the youth has earned him nominations in the prestigious South African Men of the Year Awards 2018.
The Katlehong resident is nominated in the Leadership and Youth categories.
He is also a nominee in the biggest category of the awards, which is the Man of the Year category.
Ntokozo is a youth mentor, training facilitator, motivational speaker and a resident life coach on popular children’s talk show, Blue Couch on YoTV.
Above all, he is the director and founder of the Future Shapers Foundation.
Born in Northern KwaZulu-Natal in Kwahlabisa, Ntokozo moved to Katlehong at a young age and attended Sonqoba Primary School. He progressed to Mphontseng Secondary School.
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“I was a quiet but confident boy.
“I performed well academically and participated in a number of school activities such as debate, leadership programmes and modelling,” said Ntokozo.
Ntokozo admits to being bullied and being called a sissy at school because he refused to do troublesome things other boys did.
“I was also bullied because I wasn’t violent and had a great relationship with my teachers,” he said.
His determination to do well in school and his involvement in community projects to uplift the youth propelled him to be a positive influencer in his community. He was elected president of the RCL in matric.
“After completing my matric, I looked forward to dedicating my time to a community organisation that dealt with teenage behaviour, pregnancies and educating the youth about HIV/Aids.
“However, I found out that it had shut down.
“I had fallen in love with the workshops we’d had, and realised my great passion lay in changing lives, and that’s when I started my own organisation,” said Ntokozo.
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Future Shapers Foundation deals with equipping youth in high schools with necessary life skills to deal with day-to-day challenges and to develop positive behaviour and attitudes towards life.
This is done through mentorship programmes, arts and heritage excursions, life skills training camps, health and fitness programmes and career guidance camps.
“Kasie FM provides a platform for us to advocate the work we do.
“We also receive great support from the Ekurhuleni South District, the Department of Basic Education and the parents of learners who attend the camps we host.
“They pay for transport and accommodation,” said Ntokozo.
To vote for Ntokozo in the South African Men of the Year Awards dial *120*72636# and follow the prompts.
Voting closes on October 31.
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