LIMPOPO – After years of addiction nearly destroyed her future, Moraba Lepako (37) is rebuilding her life with the support of Molopa Foundation in Phalaborwa, celebrating 16 months of sobriety.

A school shoe thrown into a pit toilet marked one of the most painful moments of Lepako’s childhood. Years later, a decision to try cannabis set her on a path that nearly cost her everything.

Today, the woman from Botlokwa, outside Polokwane, is sharing her story of addiction and recovery to warn young people about the dangers of peer pressure and encourage those struggling with substance abuse to seek help and never give up on themselves.

Childhood trauma

Lepako’s struggles began when she was bullied at school for not having proper school shoes. Her mother could not afford a pair, forcing her to wear casual shoes.

Her teacher instructed her to leave them outside the classroom. While she was in class, another learner took one of her shoes and threw it into a pit toilet.

When she discovered what had happened, other learners were laughing at her. “I cried,” she recalled.

Despite the humiliation, Lepako remained determined to succeed. She passed Gr 7 and entered high school excited about her future, initially performing well academically.

Addiction takes hold

However, she gradually lost focus and began experimenting with cannabis after following a group of boys to the school toilets out of curiosity.

“They offered it to me, and I accepted.

“That was the beginning of a journey that almost destroyed my future,” she said.

Her addiction worsened, and she eventually failed her matric examinations. She enrolled at Jeppe College in Polokwane to upgrade her results, but her substance abuse continued to escalate. She progressed from cannabis to harder drugs, losing sight of her ambitions and damaging relationships with those close to her.

“I stopped caring about my future, my family and even my own life. I lived only for drugs,” she said.

A second chance

However, her life took a turning point in 2025 when Molopa Foundation helped her enter rehabilitation, allowing her to recover when she had lost faith in herself.

The foundation later offered her employment, providing structure, purpose and renewed hope. Lepako said being part of the organisation continues to strengthen her recovery and reminds her why she does not want to return to her former life. She expressed gratitude to the foundation for giving her a second chance and helping her rebuild her life.