Giving it our best shot

Some may have branded their home an “unlucky, forgotten community” but a group of determined men from Charlottedale, Groutville are (literally) lifting themselves out of poverty and addiction.
Led by reformed drug dealer Phumlani Mhlongo the men meet every afternoon at a makeshift gym in his backyard.
“I was arrested a few years ago and when I came out of prison my community was wary of me. I wanted to show that people can change so I started making a difference in a small way,” said Mhlongo.
He said the community feels forgotten and it was up to them to change that perception.
“We are losing so many of our young men to theft, whoonga and other social ills. If we can play a role in keeping them out of trouble in a healthy way, we must.”
The group does not have proper gym equipment and makes use of what they have – an old punching bag attached to a tree branch, broken wheels for tummy crunches, a pole with concrete on either end and an old bench for weight lifting and empty cooldrink bottles for frog leaps.
Mhlongo’s uncle Siyanda trains them in basic boxing technique twice a week.
“Not being able to afford expensive things does not mean we cannot enjoy our work outs. We struggle but we make the best of our situation.”
One of the weight lifters Emmanuel Mthembu (17) said he looks forward to training every afternoon.
“Coming home from school and knowing I have a place to go where I am safe and healthy means a lot.”