Drug Rehab Clinics for Youth

For the past 2 months I have been attending drug rehab clinics for youth in areas such as Belhar, Grassy Park, Mitchells Plain and Lansdowne. These are generally semi-impoverished areas, but there are certain misconceptions about these areas. I was attending these clinics as the main focus of my Mr SA campaign is the upliftment of the youth. It is cliched, but the youth are the future. Find ways on altering their environments so that they are more conducive to positive growth and integrity development and half the battle in our country is won.

I wanted to see why drugs are so rife in these areas, what I could do to help and to understand what is happening at grass root levels in our country. 1st thing I noticed was that at most of these clinics there were just boys. Some of them did have girls, but this further supported my theory that we need to focus on the boys to get them to develop into men of honour, integrity and empathy. Secondly it became clear that the drugs of choice in these areas is tik and heroine and that these drugs are sold by Nigerian merchants mainly. I saw the paradigm in that in my social network the drug of choice is cocaine and this is also sold by Nigerians mainly. I dont do any drugs but I am not blind to what is going on around me at Cape Town and Camps Bay clubs. The difference is that in my culture its rich kids with money to blow on recreational drugs, while in the impoverished areas, these drugs are detrimentally effecting the kids and the whole fabric of these societies.

The 1st one I attended I was not sure what to expect. Hardcore looking gangsters with knives giving me evil looks. But then after getting there I realised that the youth that come to these rehabs really do want to change their lives around and make something of themselves. This touched me as some of them come from really impoverished backgrounds with so much going against them, but here they are trying to be somebody. And its not easy for them. As the reality is that almost everything is going against them. They have very little money thus cant afford good education. Governmental assistance in education and drug reform is severely lacking. So they dont have the government supporting them. Then its the reality that without education, and a severe shortage of jobs, the chances of them ever getting a good job are very slim.

So this becomes the scenario: Boy starts taking drugs to escape his reality, as drugs do give an initial feeling of euphoria and thus escapism. He realises they are bad and will destroy him so stops. Goes back to his job as a sweeper at Checkers. Reality sets in again and he begins to wonder, 'is this it'? Druglords are very poorly policed and thus drugs are rife. Many of his friends probably also do drugs and because they are rife they are always there. Its ineveitable that he will be tempted to escape his reality, feel that euphoria...and thus he slips...and uses again. The process repeats itself. This is what I picked up from the youth at the clinics, they all want to stop but struggle to stay clean...

So what can be done? Well firstly the eradication of the supply...the druglords. Police and government need to be a lot more agressive when it comes to the issue of drugs. Complete and utter clamp down. Instead of so much focus being on wether or not a car is parked on a yellow line, shift this focus to an issue that is destroying the fabric of our society. Yes it is a massive task, but Mayor Gilluani successfully eradicated 90% of all drugs and supply in New York. Even the boys there said there are so many druglords and the drugs are so easy to get...
So there is a lot that government can do: clampdown on drugs, better education and eradicate poverty... all massive tasks.

The question thus becomes what can we do, what can I do? I know what i can do...I can be an inspiration. This became evident to me at one of the clinics. I arrive in my relatively nice car and nice clothes and the one boy says: "Why is he here, what does he know about our lives or what we go through?" He did have a point, except that I do know what he and they go through because when you have been through everything I have been through you have an understanding and insight of things. The drug counsellors do role play with the boys, and in this role play they asked this same boy to confront his addiction(symbolised by another boy) and push the addiction(the other boy) out the way. The counsellor could see the boy was not doing it with conviction so he asked me to show him how its done... I shouted with force: "Im done with you, you cant have me anymore, IM UNSTOPPABLE!!!". Everybody in the room all of a sudden sat up... now when the boy did it, he did it with feeling, and after he and the other boys came to me and were asking me questions and I re-iterated my message of never ever EVER giving up.

This is what I can do to make a difference. I am fearless and will be heard and thus I can inspire others to change themsleves and/or to help others. I will make a difference and no one or nothing can stand in my way, just like I let these boys know that they can change their lives and they mustn't let anyone or anything stand in their way. What will you do to make a difference? Sit back and let others wallow in misery that we are all apart of? Or will you make a difference by at least looking at yourself and changing your attitude?

I for one will not sit back and buy into the lies being fed to us and I will pierce through the veils of ignorance, and in this lifetime I will inspire change...actually for all eternity...as positive energy can never be destroyed.
Make the change.

Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge

On the 20th February I was invited to the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge, a charity event held in George every year. This event highlights the plight of the disabled and raises funds for them. It is indeed a very worthy cause so I was honoured to be invited.

The event was to take place 9am Saturday morning, so I flew in the day before to attend the opening ceremony and the pasta dinner(the athletes need their energy!) As I got off the plane I was welcomed by some friendly charity staff and this was to be the theme for the weekend, everybody in George is so welcoming and hospitable.

At the opening ceremony lunch I was announced as one of the celebrity guests and thereafter i was referred to as one of the celebrities every time an announcement was made. The other celebrities were Paul Rothmann(Pasella presenter and Cosmo Sexiest Man of Year 2009), Dieter Voigt(also Pasella, Mr SA 2007), Melanie Du Bois(Felicity from 7de Laan) and Mathys Roets(well known singer). This was the 1st time I was called a celebrity and treated as one and it felt good. Not because it boosted my ego, but because with celebrity comes great power and influence to make positive change. This is ultimately what I am going to do so it felt good to know that I am on the right path.

This was further emphasised to me, when after the opening lunch, myself and Dieter went to a mall parking lot where 100's of schoolkids had gathered. The MC announced that I was a Mr SA finalist and a celebrity and all the little children came running up to me asking me to sign their shirts. At 1st i was writing long messages but then I realised there were so many of them, so I started writing F Y D(Follow Your Dreams) and while I was writing this I would ask them what does FYD mean and i would shout Follow Your dreams and eventually all the kids were also saying it! I realised there that the children need good role models and I know I am that. Anything is achievable and I will let them all know that.
It is cliched, but the children are the future...and I will inspire them.

The next day it was time for the race! The main road in George is closed off for the event and 600 wheelchair athletes had come for the event. There were even professional wheelchair athletes from all over the world, and they took part in the 40km race. Myself and the other 3 "celebs", were assigned the amazing task of pushing disabled children in their wheelchairs once around the course(5km). I was given little Ruwaan, and it warmed my heart to see a severely handicapped boy have so much courage and such a beautiful smile. The 5th celeb, Mathys Roets, was in a bike accident and now moves around in a wheelchair, it was great to see him embrace his new way of life and he had such a good positive attitude.

After the race, myself and Melanie judged a pooitjie pot competition and there were some delicious poytjies! Then it was time for prize giving, we all stood on stage handing out the prizes and it was amazing to see how courageous and happy these wheelchair athletes are, they have fully embraced their way of life and hold no bitterness or anger and events like these help show them that they are not forgotten, that we do care.

All in all it was an amazing event and I feel so privileged to have been a part of it. The people of George are so warm and the head of the charity, Esther, is such an amazing woman for every year organising this amazing event. I must also say a big thanks to Valesca for inviting me and showing me around the beautiful Garden Route. It doesnt matter if you are black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor, male or female, abled or disabled... we are just human beings trying to find love and be happy in this crazy and beautiful world. Thus all South Africans must no longer discriminate, and instead embrace and love one another, no matter how we look.

This country can reach its amazing potential.

It starts with each and every one of us changing our attitudes.

Embrace all.

Love all.

Peace.

Polo International @ Val De Vie

This past weekend I was invited to the BMW Polo International- South Africa vs Italy! I was excited as I had never watched a Polo match before. But when arrived I realised I had only been given general admission tickets... now Im no snob, but I only attend these events to meet influential people, so there was no way I was going to be on the outside looking in...

All the celebs, press and media were in the clubhouse and thats where the action was. Security was tight and a few of my friends attempts at entry had already been rejected by security. I had a secret weapon though, my Mr SA finalist sash. So I walked towards the entrance like a man on a mission, security stops me and asks if they can help me. In a stern voice this is all I say:"Im a Mr SA finalist and Ive been invited". Security gets on their walkie talkies and next thing I know Ive got an all access armband on. Moral of the story, he who dares...wins;)

The highlight of my day was meeting Felicia Mabuza Suttle, SA's own Oprah, or as she puts it, Oprah is America's Felicia!
What a classy and gracious lady, and when I brought up the issues I wanted to focus on, she agreed wholeheartedly. This gave me confidence in what Im doing and I know im on the right track.

Then it was the time for the polo match itself, polo is a sport in which men ride horses and have to hit a ball through the goals with a croquet. SA thrashed Italy 14-3! Who knew we were so good at polo? It was a great event and a big thanks to the organisers for putting on a great production.