It is not easy to live through life of addiction

How one woman got into prostitution to support the expensive drug lifestyle

Magasela, 36, was driven into prostitution after her father died in 2002.

Magasela who lived in Hillbrow and was addicted to drugs had struggled to put bread on the table and could no longer depend on her brothers.

“When you are in prostitution you reach a point where you need something to help you cope with sleeping with different men all the time. I was kicked out of my apartment because I used the money I made to buy drugs,” she said.

Magasela said she then opted to live with Nigerians who advertised her trade on the internet.

Magasela was speaking to dozens of residents at Kopanong sports grounds in Ivory Park recently to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking ( June 26).

Operation Thiba Nyaope is an organisation fighting the drug scourge in the area. The organisation’s leader Bulelani Mbuthise said the community was taking the battle against drugs to the streets.

According to police, Ivory Park is one of the most affected areas in Gauteng in terms of nyaope use.

“Children as young as 12 use drugs in this area. The challenge we have is that they start stealing from their homes, then the neighbours, and this leads to mob justice,” said police spokesman Warrant Officer Justice Sekgobela.

He encouraged the community to mobilise and demand that drug dealers leave their communities.

Magasela said she was fortunate to overcome her drug addiction .

“I was fortunate to find a room near community centres that helped addicts. It is not easy to get out of drugs. I made a decision to go to adult school and complete my matric.

“Everyone thought that my life will amount to nothing. I am now a waitress at one of the biggest hotel and was recently promoted to supervisor,” she said.