To keep teenagers engaged and away from crime and substance abuse during the school holidays, the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement hosted a three-day outreach programme aimed at inspiring local youth to make positive life choices.

The movement believes such programmes give young people a safe and meaningful space during the school holidays, while also equipping them with guidance and motivation to make better decisions.

The initiative, titled: Inspiring the next gen programme, kicked off on March 30 at Maphutha Secondary School in Mayibuye, where children and teenagers took part in motivational talks, educational presentations, fun activities, and interactive sessions designed to empower them during the break.

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The final day of the programme, held on April 1, stood out as the highlight of the event, drawing special guest speakers including Sylvester ‘Mavester’ Mofokeng and Bongani ‘Mr Speaker’ Mthembu, who delivered heartfelt keynote addresses centred on the dangers of drugs, crime, and peer pressure.

Adding energy and local flavour to the event was a moving Gwijo a cappella performance by Banda’s Gwijo Boys, which kept the youth entertained.

One of the most impactful moments of the day came when Mavester spoke candidly to the teenagers about his painful journey through addiction, crime, and prison. Speaking openly and without sugar-coating his experiences, Mavester warned the youth that drug use often begins with curiosity and imitation, but can quickly spiral into destruction. “For me, it started when I was still young, liking things and wanting to be forward. You see older people smoking, and you think it’s cool. That’s how it begins.”

He explained how his early experimentation with cigarettes eventually escalated into years of substance abuse, including dagga, mandrax, heroin, and nyaope.

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“The problem with drugs is that they need maintenance. You start by stealing at home, stealing from your parents. After that, you steal from the community.”

Mavester said his involvement with drugs and the wrong crowd ultimately led him to prison at a very young age. Reflecting on his youth, he said a lack of direction and spending too much time on street corners exposed him to negative influences that changed the course of his life.

Now out on parole, Mavester said he uses his story to warn others so they do not repeat the same mistakes.

Also addressing the youth was motivational speaker Mr Speaker, who encouraged young people from township communities, like Mayibuye, to recognise their value and the responsibility they carry.

He reminded them that many families place their hopes in the younger generation and that education remains one of the strongest tools for breaking cycles of poverty, crime, and hopelessness.

Grab a copy of the Midrand Reporter to read more about what the teenagers learned from the programme.

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