Vuyolethu Elvis Sibiya, an inspirational speaker, is asking the community to vote for him. Sibiya is a nominee under the Youth Developer category for the SA Men of the Year Awards, which shine a spotlight on male role models.
Sibiya is well-known for his motivational talks through Kuzondlula Motivational Tour, with his pastor John Laybon Mkhatshawa, which seeks to give hope to the youth and inspire them to pursue an education to better their lives.
Sibiya, an Ivory Park resident and former Ponelopele Oracle Secondary School pupil, was born in KwaZulu-Natal and raised by a single mother. Speaking about his family he said he lost his mother and two sisters in 2002 and had to move from Pongola to Ivory Park to live with an aunt.
In 2007, while in Grade 10, Sibiya started doing motivational talks at schools. He said he was deeply inspired by the large number of youth dropouts, teenage pregnancies and the increase in drug use around Ivory Park, where he lived.
In 2008, Sibiya encountered difficulties in his academic life when his aunt lost her job. “Despite failing Grade 11, I persisted. I finally completed Grade 12 the following year under intense hardship, then right after, my life became even worse and I had to move from home to stay in the back room of my pastor’s house.”
With the help of his pastor, he got an opportunity to study journalism at Birnam Business College in Johannesburg. “I have had the opportunity to travel locally and overseas to inspire young people, I am grateful for the opportunities I have received.” Chairperson of SA Men’s Awards Bongani Ngomane said, “The awards will be held on 18 November at the Mosaëik Theatre in Fairlands, Johannesburg. Vote for Sibiya before 31 October and SMS YouthGP Vuyolethu Sibiya to 34818. SMSes are charged at R1.50
Details: www.samenawards.co.za
