Show Me Your Number (SMYN), an organisation through which the legacy of Thabang Lebese is being consolidated in partnership with UNAIDS, launched a project in honour of the late soccer legend.
This is why the family makes it no secret that Monde is also HIV positive.
“HIV is not a death sentence that people make it out to be.
“The assumption is that when you have this virus, you’re going to die. That is not true,” said Lebese who has been living with the virus for three years.
“I take care of myself and health because I want to be a good example to my son. He’s my motivation.”
Through the foundation, Thabang Lebese Sport Centre for Social Change will be launched in Meadowlands where children will play sport while being trained on life-skills.
The facility will also be a dialogue centre that will host public dialogues to address the stigma and discrimination against the virus and a male medical circumcision and HIV counselling and testing centre.
“To see the foundation succeed would be a big achievement as I’m doing this for my brother’s legacy,” said Lebese as he recalled the difficulties faced by the family after his brother’s death.
Lebese encourages the youth to take care of themselves and work towards community development as the rate of substance abuse, particularly nyoape is on the rise.
The centre’s planning is still underway and is expected to open doors before the year ends.