From living on the streets to helping others
Young man with ambition to help needy kids celebrates further academic achievement
FROM the streets to the boardroom, a young Port Elizabeth man who was dealt a heavy blow as a young child is using his experiences and qualifications to inspire and help the less fortunate.
Already in possession of a diploma in business, Mbulelo Dweni graduated with a Foundation Leadership Programme certificate from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Business School yesterday.
At just 14, Dweni had no choice but to live on the streets after leaving home to escape his alcoholic mother, who was a domestic worker, and stepfather, a part-time gardener.
Taken to the ACVV Khayalethu Youth Centre in North End in 2001 by a social worker, Dweni stayed there until 2012 while he embarked on an incredible journey of success.
“It was [at Khayalethu] that I was privileged to be given the opportunity to attend life skills and leadership camps and workshops,” the 30-year-old said.
After graduating from Varsity College in 2012 with a diploma in business management and entrepreneurship, Dweni set his sights on finding a job where he could inspire and assist young children from disadvantaged backgrounds and the streets.
“It pains me to see children standing on a street corner asking for money for food,” he said.
“All these children find themselves disadvantaged, but they can be helped.”
Dweni was awarded a full R80 000 bursary to complete his three-year degree at Varsity College.
Now working as a coordinator for wellness events at Preferred Provider Negotiators (PPN) in Central, Dweni said he hoped to become more involved in community upliftment.
With his latest qualification, Dweni said he had been given the skills to be a better leader with the necessary business savvy.
“The programmes [I studied] will also help me manage conflict in work and personal life as well as in general,” he said.
As an ambassador for Khayalethu, Dweni said he often spoke to youngsters about the dangers of living on the streets. “This is a start to giving back.” According to Dweni, an important message for any youth coming from difficult situations is that life can be better from them.
“The challenge is that not all of us are privileged and not all of us can say no to temptation,” he said.
For Dweni, education is the key to success and changing one’s circumstances.
“Hold on to education because you can use it as a vehicle to get to the other side of the world,” he said.
“The more knowledge you possess, the better the decisions you can make.”
Khayalethu director Dr Marietjie van der Merwe, said she was very proud of Dweni.
“He [Dweni] is definitely one of our greatest success stories,” she said.