Tembisa activist leads fight against drug addiction and unemployment

My name is Thato Matome. I am 44 years old, a father of three daughters and the founder of the Tembisa Drugs Rehabilitation Movement, which I started in 2022.

I was born and raised in Thembisa, and my mission is to help my fellow brothers and sisters overcome the grip of drug addiction, a problem that brings crime, violence, and despair into our families, communities and country.

One of my favourite childhood memories is from Thuto ke Maatla Secondary School, where I dreamt of becoming a CEO and owning businesses that create jobs, fight poverty and offer bursaries to needy students.

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Those early aspirations fuelled my desire to create meaningful change in my community.

What I love most about Thembisa is its wealth of talent and potential. However, it has its challenges, including a lack of resources like soccer, cricket, and rugby fields, and skills and development centres to nurture young people’s talents.

Before I overcame addiction, I spent time in various spots around Thembisa, drinking and drifting.

Today, sober and clean, I enjoy spending time indoors, watching movies or soccer or keeping busy with chores.

The moment that changed my life was when I first became involved with drugs – a turning point that eventually led me to dedicate my life to helping others avoid the same path.

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The biggest challenges Thembisa faces are drug abuse and unemployment. I believe we can address these issues by creating job opportunities and skills development programmes for the youth, giving them purpose and preventing them from turning to substances out of boredom or desperation.

As a young man, I had a talent for soccer and was known as ‘Jerry Skhosana’ on the field. That discipline and focus now guide my work as a community leader.

My goal is to fight drug addiction while also supporting the creation of opportunities for the people of Thembisa.

The best advice I ever received came from my late father: A man must stand up for himself, never lose hope, and remember that true wealth is measured by the good you do for your community.

For me, Thembisa is more than a place; it is home. It is a township of love, unity and transformation.

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As a leader and advocate, I work to guide the next generation, helping the youth avoid the dangers of substance abuse and supporting parents and families who have suffered from the consequences of addiction.

Through the Tembisa Drugs Rehabilitation Movement, I strive to bring hope, empowerment and positive change to our community.