Teenager helps Tembisa learners through his foundation
He wants to level the grounds by bringing change in the lives of learners in different schools
Nyangintsimbi Simthembile (23) from Emmangwani Section in Tembisa hosts Summer 18 School
Tour featuring numerous schools around Tembisa and Kempton Park including Tembisa High School, Zitikeng Secondary School, and Norkem Park High School with the hope to bring change to high school learners.
Living in a family of nine, Simthembile says he knows the struggle of going to school without a proper uniform, food in your stomach and the pain of seeing your school mates in proper uniforms.
This initiative is founded by Simthembile, who goes by the stage name of Steeze Forest, in order to make a difference in the society and change lives at schools.
Since the beginning of the tour in May and with his first visit to Tembisa High School and Zithikeni Secondary School, Simthembile said that due to the fact that they were writing exams he left them to finish writing while he was organising sponsors.
Simthembile added he wants to level the grounds by bringing change in the lives of learners in different schools and building self confidence in them and add on the number of sponsors already on board.
“Our main aim is that we are trying to get funding for the tour so toiletries and uniforms can be donated to learners and we want to fix the school’s broken property. We also want to get people who will help fund the matrics for their studies next year,” said Simthembile.
The tour compromises of local artists who will be performing on stage, also featuring RKY photography. The artists line-up also includes Swizz, Kitty, Tonic De Prince, Sleezy, and L-Kevonix, among others.
“As an upcoming hip-hop artist from Tembisa I decided to start this initiative in order reach out to people through my music and currently working on a mix tape titled Pain made me and as challenging as it is, I am winning every day because I have God by my side and I know I will keep on winning.”
Simthembile also said he will perform his music in each school that he will be visiting, and on that day those learners will show off their God-given talent on stage and bring back their confidence.
“On that day we will push every fashion designer, musicians, dancers and people who do poetry to come to the party. Our stage will be prepared by the tour’s sponsor Somdaka Funeral (SOK) with Do Sabby from YFM coming along as our sponsor,” said Simthembile.
Simthembile also said that learners are strung on drugs because they feel neglected at home and at schools sometimes.
“It is time for change now. Through this initiative I hope to get people who will volunteer to help learners with their school work because some are struggling due to pressure or family issues, and there are learners who are talented but are not gifted academically,” said Simthembile.
This initiative extends to educate learners about career choices.
“I would like to have representatives from different colleges and universities to come to these different schools and help the learners to apply for their academics in the upcoming year. I have already approached different institutions,” added Simthembile.
“The list goes on. My mission is to prove to everyone that you do not have to have too much in order to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Simthembile.
