From Thembisa streets to online vlogs: Grootman Tshepsite inspires youth

I’m Tshepang Michael Modise, known as ‘Grootman Tshepsite’.

My parents, John Rabohlale and Sylvia Modise, raised me in Makhulong, Thembisa, 1632.

Although I have a sibling who is no longer in our lives, this township has always been home and shaped me into who I am today.

One of my most treasured childhood memories is tied to a house just down my street, used as a filming location for Skeem Saam. As a boy, I would rush over to watch the production before the show aired on TV.

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Seeing those real-life stories unfold in my community lit a spark in me. I wanted to be someone who inspires others in the same way those characters inspired me.

That early experience blended with my identity as a Grootman, someone who takes care of themselves and looks out for others.

Today, I’m a vlogger encouraging strong, caring families and sharing messages of growth, self-love and unity.

My creative drive is deeply rooted in Thembisa’s energy and resilience, and that continues to fuel my purpose.

What I love most about Thembisa is its spirit: Creative, vibrant and heartfelt.

You feel it in the live music at rooftop shisanyamas, the bold fashion at lifestyle markets, and the pride at the Makhulong Stadium on match day.

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I’m inspired daily by the local entrepreneurs, the stories told on street corners and the strong sense of community.

Thembisa is a place where tradition and modern expression meet, and that fills me with pride.

When it comes to food, nothing beats Chuff Pozzy in Mashimong. It’s a humble fast-food spot, but the flavour and community warmth are unmatched.

For fun, I head to The Weekend in Moedi. Its music and atmosphere capture the soul of Thembisa. Kajozi is another favourite, with its unique vibe that always draws me in.

A defining moment for me came just after finishing school, when I began organising street games of netball and soccer.

Every weekend, I’d set up makeshift pitches, gather neighbours and run friendly matches right on our street.

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These games brought laughter, connection and hope.

I started filming those moments – the cheering, the camaraderie, the joy – and that’s when I discovered vlogging.

I realised powerful stories don’t need big sets or budgets, they need heart and authenticity. That was my turning point: using community sport and storytelling to inspire change.

But Thembisa also faces challenges. Addiction, especially to nyaope, crystal meth (tik), and substances like ntash, is tearing through families and communities.

I believe more positive spaces, entertainment, and investment in local businesses and events can fight this.

These not only create opportunities but also build pride and resilience.

One person who inspires me deeply is Zali Nxabi. He’s not just a success story who made it out; he came back to uplift his community.

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Through Streetkidz Media, he has changed the advertising landscape by empowering township entrepreneurs and ensuring local voices are heard. His role in the Black Billboard Owners Alliance proves that true success lies in creating opportunities for others.

If I could bring one lasting change to Thembisa, it would be safe and supportive spaces for families and youth places that offer mentorship, mental health support, parenting guidance, and real-life skills.

Thembisa is overflowing with potential, and sometimes all people need is someone to believe in them and walk beside them on their journey. That’s the mission behind everything I do.

The best advice I ever received came from the older Grootmans in the hood. They’d often tell me, “You don’t belong here”.

At first, I didn’t fully understand. But as I grew older, I realised it was their way of warning me not to fall into the traps of drugs and crime. They saw potential in me.

I took that advice as fuel to rise above my circumstances and carve out a new path. I now share through my vlogs to inspire others.
For me, “home” isn’t just a physical place. It’s where your story begins.

Thembisa taught me resilience, street smarts and compassion. It gave me a tough skin but also a soft heart for my people.

Every challenge, every memory and every story from these streets shaped the man I am today.

No matter where life takes me, I’ll always carry Thembisa with me, and I’ll always represent it with pride.