Kempton Park boys empowered at a seminar
The founders of both organisations had one goal in mind – to nurture the young boys.
Boys Mentorship South Africa partnered with Rainbow Delight World Association, founded by coach Karabo Mokou, to host a boys seminar for the boys of Kempton Park on April 27.
The event, held at Impact Life Church in Norkem Park, aimed to empower the young boys.
The founders of both organisations had one goal in mind – to nurture the young boys to become what God wants them to become.
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Boys Mentorship South Africa was founded in 2012 by Mpumelelo Buthelezi to empower boys.
“I started this organisation because boys are neglected. There are no programmes in place to empower them but yet we expect them to become good fathers, good men that contribute positively to society,” said Buthelezi.
Both Buthelezi and Mokou spoke to the boys before other guests, including social worker Masego Monageng and Sergent Dikeletso Mkhondo from Norkem Park SAPS, had a chance to address them.
The boys participated in several activities on the day and were given a discussion task during which they had to answer questions such as who they were, where they come from and why they were placed on earth.
“The aim of the discussion was to help the boys think deeply, find their purpose and learn how to make the right decisions. The task was also to let them see that they need to surround themselves with people who will lead them in the right direction.”
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Monageng, from You Are Not Alone: Women and Family Center, spoke about purpose.
She shared her experiences with the boys and advised them to seek and find their purpose.
“Boys are generally active and risk takers and this is not a bad thing, as long as they are guided and constantly supervised to make sure that they are not a threat to themselves and to others as well.”
She told the boys that they are important and relevant even when it seems like the world is against them.
“You are a carrier of generations, a king in the eyes of God. Be mindful of the decisions that you make,” said Monageng.
Photo: Masego Mashilo
While the boys presented their answers, they also shared their dreams and future plans.
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Mkhondo, who works as the social crime prevention officer and gender-based violence coordinator at Norkem Park SAPS, shared her experiences with the young boys.
“I have arrested vulnerable children often; children under the age of 18 for crimes related to theft, domestic violence and malicious damage to property.
“That is why we do programmes like these, to assist children and help them stay away from crimes, drugs and substance abuse.
Photo: Masego Mashilo
“We prevent crimes through propgrammes and campaigns.
“We gather young people to educate them about the dangers of using drugs.
“For those that dropped out from school, we take them back to school because they are the same children who may turn problematic in our community,” said Mkhondo.
