Corrie Havenga and Marius Oosthuizen of Lewisham are fighting back against the socio-economic ills in their community – literally.

Havenga is a pastor, community leader and chairperson of the local neighbourhood watch, while Oosthuizen has been involved in boxing for almost 50 years including a stint as a national trainer in 1992. Together the two have started a boxing gym for the community’s youth (and an adult or two) which aims to get the children off the crime-ridden streets and teach them discipline.

Currently, the registered gym is being run from a double garage on Morcom Street and the number of attendees is growing rapidly. The garage is also very cold and often sessions have to be cancelled due to the cold.

The duo is now appealing to the community at large to provide a venue to continue their upliftment programme.

Anyone who can assist in the matter can contact Corrie Havenga on 083 230 8454.