Watch: Brothers on a quest to clean the city’s streets
Their dream is to see all the street people off the streets of Kempton Park
FRENANZO (25) and Tyrell Brown (24) dance to make a living and until recently, used to live on the street.
The Brown brothers left home in the hope of making it in the big city as dancers but ended up taking drugs and being homeless.
The two say life took a turn for the better when they gave their lives to God. Joburg’s streets got a bit rough for them and they recently moved to Kempton Park.
“Last year, we left home and went looking for a dance company but instead got used by people and got into drugs,” said Frenanzo. “We would’ve been in prison, hospital or dead but God saved us and he’s given us a chance to help save others.”
Now, the only reason why they sometimes set up a tent and sleep on the street is to rescue street children during the night.
“The streets can be very dangerous. We are trying to stop shop owners from selling glue to the kids and are working hand in hand with shelters to take those who have improved from drugs and crime through our mentoring,” explains Frenanzo.
He said some of the kids that had been taken into shelters even have jobs.
“The problem is how these kids see themselves, especially when they haven’t bathed and stuff. It’s not that they can’t get jobs. They can, they just need attention.”
He has requested a hair clipper to assist the boys in keeping their hair and beard trimmed and presentable.
Frenanzo’s relationship with the mother of his son ended badly and at the same time their brother, Frenanzo’s twin, committed suicide in a twisted turn of events.
These tragedies and other unpleasant experiences they have gone through in their short lifespan have not stopped them from making a difference on the streets of Kempton Park. They would rather forget about their painful past and move forward.
Frenanzo is an ambassador for YOUREMI (Youth Rescue Mission), a Christian organisation that mentors, encourages, inspires, motivates, helps and uplifts young people.
“We help street kids, teach them to dance and rescue them off the streets. We also perform at corners and malls to make money to feed 20 children every day at 6pm with no fail,” he explained.
He said they were not just feeding their stomachs but also their souls. “Before we give them food, we motivate them and build their self-esteem. We want to win souls for God.”
His biggest dream is to build a shelter in Kempton Park.
“I want people to drive through Kempton Park and not find any street kid on the streets, I also want to send the younger ones to school,” said Frenanzo.
Frenanzo comes from a musical background and is also a Michael Jackson impersonator. He met the pop icon at Ellis Park in 1997.
This year he plans to enter SA’s Got Talent and plans to take some of the boys living on the street with him.
“I’m gonna divide them into three groups. They can really sing. If you hear them, you will cry, I’m telling you.”
“I won my first show when I was four years old. I’ve been dancing for 22 years and in Bloemfontein I’m a dance champion.”
The Brown brothers will host a talent show on March 28 at the NG Kerk hall opposite McDonald’s on the corner of Monument and Kempton roads.
They call on anyone who is interested in performing on the day to contact them on 078 092 4557.
Auditions will be held on Friday, March 20.
The young men say they are in need of clothes, food parcels and toiletries for the street children they assist.
“We don’t ask for money. Every day we work so hard dancing to provide for these boys. We’ve had dislocations, torn muscles and even broken bones but we still continue.”
The entrance fee for the event will be R15 and participants who make it through the auditions, will pay a R20 registration fee.
All the money raised will go towards the kids.
