Thembisa rehab group steps up to clean Esangweni Taxi Rank
Recovering addicts from Thembisa Drug Rehabilitation Centre Movement teamed up with Thembalethu to host the clean-up.
The Thembisa Drug Rehabilitation Centre Movement recently led a clean-up operation at the Esangweni Taxi Rank.
The initiative aimed to give recovering addicts a renewed sense of purpose and to show the community that genuine change is possible when one is willing to work for it.
Recognising the harm caused by substance abuse to families and neighbourhoods, the group embarked on this clean-up as both a symbolic and practical gesture, a way of making amends and contributing positively to the communities they once hurt.
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The clean-up effort was made possible through a collaboration between the rehabilitation movement and the Thembalethu organisation.
The partnership concentrates on creating ongoing programmes and employment opportunities for recovering addicts to help them remain focused and future-oriented in their journey of sobriety.
During the clean-up, the team worked tirelessly to unblock a drain clogged with sand, clear away litter, and address long-standing waste issues that had made the rank unsanitary and unpleasant for daily commuters.
Thato Matome, founder of the Thembisa Drug Rehabilitation Movement, explained the symbolism of the initiative.
“Cleaning this space mirrors the transformation these men have undergone.
“They are now clean, sober, and focused individuals. It only makes sense that their environment reflects that same progress. Clean men should live in a clean space and that is what we are striving for here at the rank.”
Mohammed Gadimang, representing Thembalethu, spoke of the importance of their involvement and the initiative’s impact.
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“One of our programmes at Thembalethu focuses on cleaning streets and restoring dignity for those affected by drugs.
“We are running the Social Employment Fund, which aims to provide meaningful jobs and opportunities to people in need.
“Since 2002, we have worked with community-based organisations that require support and helped place hundreds of people into work. That is how I met Mr Matome through TSHAD, and we are proud to continue walking this path with him and his team.”
