A FORMER John Ross pupil, who knows the dangers and heartache of life on the streets, is now a champion in the global fight against human trafficking.
Charismatic youth-coordinator, Thami Ntimbane of the Durban-based Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre (UCEC) originally hails from Richards Bay, but now walks the streets on rescue missions, fundraising and awareness campaigns to combat and drive back the rapid advance of the modern day slave trade.
The Non Profit, Public Benefit organisation, UCEC, established the Shiloh House Crisis Centre for abused women and children at an undisclosed location, a feeding scheme, soccer team and church outreach into the streets of Durban.
Their October fundraising walk, entitled ‘Take a stand by taking a step’ with the slogan ‘Stop human trafficking one step at a time,’ is backed by talented Sharks player, Tera Mthembu and former Springbok rugby player, Andre Joubert, one of the ‘Madiba Squad,’ who brought the 1995 Rugby World Cup home.
Speaking at the quarterly meeting of the KZN Human Trafficking, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels (HTPPB) Task Team, Ntimbane said he was shocked to learn that Mthembu lost a close family member to human trafficking.
UCEC also successfully embarked on shock awareness campaigns with displays of models, posing bruised, chained up and caged, at the airport, schools and FET colleges.
‘It is a shocking and graphic depiction of the reality of human trafficking.
‘Some people ignore us, others ask questions and some don’t believe it could ever happen to them or their family.’
Ntimbane urged schools, churches and communities to join the five kilometre walk on 4 October at 10am at the Green Hub, Blue Lagoon Durban.
Walkers are encouraged to wear black and red as the official anti-human trafficking colours.
The proceeds will go towards funding of Shiloh House, which is one of only two accredited shelters in KZN.
Registration starts at 8:30 and the entrance fee is R50.
Soraya@ucec.org.za can be contacted on 031 8247951 or 082 4564768 for further information.
