From substance abuse to business owner with support and training
The COSUP programme provides rehabilitation, skills training and community support. A former addict reflects on his journey.
Former drug addict Xolani Shelembe says the support he received through the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP) has transformed his life, helping him to stay clean and build a business of his own.
His story was highlighted during a recent follow-up visit to COSUP in Pretoria Central by the Section 79 oversight committee, led by chairperson Councillor Peggy de Bruin.
“I once visited one of our COSUP centres in the City of Tshwane, and heard of many success stories of rehabilitated substance abusers.
One story which touched my heart was of Xolani Shelembe, who managed to acquire skills through a collaboration between COSUP and Protech College in Rosslyn. He has been clean for three years and is now self-employed,” De Bruin said.
Originally from Pietermaritzburg, KZN, Shelembe made the move to Sunnyside in 2023 after a 14-year-long battle with substance abuse that led to committing acts he’s not proud of.
Through the programme, he received support that enabled him to overcome substance abuse and rebuild his life.
As part of his rehabilitation journey, Xolani enrolled in skills development training through Protech in Roslyn, where he qualified as a technician.
Today, he is self-employed and operates a renovation business specialising in plumbing, painting, and residential electrical wiring.
Shelembe expressed his sincere gratitude to the Tshwane metro, the University of Pretoria, and the COSUP centre for the support and opportunities that helped him turn his life around.
“I want to apologise for everything I’ve done wrong toward my family, most of all for my father. I don’t want my own child to be known as the one with an addict as a father.
“God is real, and he’s there. I am where I am because of him. So, everything is in your mind; it’s up to you to decide what you want to believe in, but you must believe in something because there’s something greater than all of us in this world,” Shelembe said.
COSUP operates multiple out-patient and harm-reduction sites across several regions in Pretoria.
Feel free to contact their 24-Hour Toll-Free Hopeline (crisis and referrals) on 0800 611 197 or 0800 467 647, should you or anyone you know require their services.
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