Ex-drug addicts warn youth about danger of drugs
Three men talk about how they lost jobs and families due to substance abuse
Three former drug addicts and ex-convicts have become the pride of the community of Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga for their endeavour to shield young people from using drugs.
Thando Masango, Johannes Mtsweni and Sizwe Nyembe run Kakaramba Foundation, which does anti-drugs awareness campaigns in schools with an aim to help addicts stop their bad habits and also teach about the dangers of drug usage.
They have different stories – ranging from losing jobs, family members and spending years in jail due to crimes influenced by drug usage.
Masango told Sowetan that he neglected his child and lost his job because of drugs.
“We are the evidence that drug usage is bad, that’s why when we talk to these young people they have to understand what we are talking about. Due to drug usage, I lost my job because I would come to work high. I would steal my family’s belongings just for a fix. No one is a caring parent when on drugs. I neglected my child,” said Masango.
During a drugs awareness campaign recently, Kakaramba called a meeting where addicts they are working with were encouraged to bring their parents.
“First, my mother is drinking all kinds of medication that has to do with depression and high blood pressure because of me. I was a troublesome son, stealing her belongings and neighbours were complaining and she became this person who raised an addict who stole and wrecked havoc in the community.
“This led to me being arrested and serving time in jail. We called the parents to let each addict tell them how sorry they are and how they are going to change their lives for the better,” said Nyembe.
Lucky Nzima, who attended the meeting, said he wants to change his life. “I came here to seek help. I’m a drug addict and my behaviour is a problem ... which also led to my mother dying because I would steal the little she had to feed me and my siblings to buy drugs.
“I used all kinds of drugs and now that my mother is gone, I have to be a breadwinner, but first I need to beat the addiction to be a better man,” said Nzima.
Masango said the foundation, which helps addicts beat withdrawal symptoms which are hard and can lead to relapse, relied on donations. “This is a serious journey. One needs psychological support and if they take such a journey without their mindset to it they relapse and go back to drugs. We are trying to send some to rehab but it’s hard as our government takes time to take them in; it may take up to three months here in Mpumalanga.
“Therefore, we are trying to spend time with them while they go through the process and we try other mechanisms, and actually being mentored by people who have beaten addiction ... it does help. We don’t have money or funding but we are trying by all means to get them something like work, which can keep them busy to ease the thinking of drugs,” said Masango.
Mpumalanga department of social development
spokesperson Sentie Ngubane said the foundation should approach them regarding funding for their project.
“We have a number of NPOs [non-profit organisations] that are registered and are receiving funding, the same would go for those who deal with GBV [gender-based violence], etc. They apply and get the funding, depending on [meeting] the set requirements,” said Ngubane.