Thembisa’s Champion: Attie Kous’ enduring bond with the community

My name is Attie Kous. I’m a former metro police officer who, although not officially a resident of Thembisa, proudly served its people for many years.

I lived next door in Rabie Ridge, but Thembisa became my second home in the early 2000s, a community I came to love deeply.

One of my favourite memories of working in Thembisa is engaging with motorists and community members over the years.

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Going the extra mile became second nature to me, always seeking peaceful, restorative ways to resolve even the most difficult issues. The real reward was seeing calm return and trust restored.

What I love most about this community is its deep-rooted unity.

Thembisa lives by the motto, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all’. People truly show up for each other without hesitation.

When it came to food, I had several favourites. Just opposite our offices in the Ndulwini Section was a man named David who made a mean chicken dish.

If not there, I’d head to Grillo’s Chicken in Esangweni next to Ziniko, or grab a delicious kota from a local spot or even the Tsoga Hostel.

On my off days, I’d unwind in Hospital View at Sheila’s Place. Thembisa is full of vibrant hangouts, too many to name. Of course, it has faced its share of challenges.

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Violence, hijackings and even the loss of prominent residents have tested the community.

But instead of giving in, we chose vigilance. We fought crime shoulder to shoulder, and Thembisa remained, in many ways, one of the most peaceful and resilient communities I’ve known.

Youth unemployment is one of our foremost concerns. Many young people lose hope.

I’ve always believed that the army or civil programmes could train and empower them, offering purpose, discipline and a real sense of belonging. These opportunities could steer them away from drugs and crime and remind them that their lives matter.

My role model is Dr Thindisa, a man I deeply respect.

As a spiritual leader and healer, he recognised the value of our work as metro police officers and never hesitated to show his support.

Every time I visited his surgery, he encouraged me and reminded me that serving the community with dignity and compassion truly mattered. He is a humanitarian in every sense and continues to uplift Thembisa.

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If I had to describe Thembisa in three words, they would be vibrant, electrifying and warm.

One unique fact about my time in Thembisa is the blend of love and tough correction shared by its people. This community doesn’t just let things slide; they care enough to call out those who try to harm it.

If I could bring one change to Thembisa, it would be to spread the message of ubuntu – that every life matters, love and respect are our strongest tools, and we are all each other’s keepers.

The best advice I ever received came from Dr Thindisa: “Serve with dignity, love God and love people.” It’s a message I still carry in my heart.

To me, home means knowing your neighbours, feeling their empathy and sharing in joy and hardship. It means that when I cry, someone hears me; when I’m unwell, someone checks on me. Home is built on mutual respect.

In Thembisa, we live by the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”. And that’s what Thembisa is – a village that loves.
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. – Hebrews 13:16