Youth attempting to shine the light forward for his peers

Motivation is needed from those who have walked the path, as those living the same struggle have much to share.

A true child of the new millennium, 21-year-old Blessing Sehlabi has the world at his fingertips yet riches seem just out of reach. After completing matric in Fochville in 2018, he was drawn to the bustle and bright lights of the big city, chasing down the promise of a prosperous future. Now finding himself caught up in the whirlwind movement of community change, Blessing is bursting with the rawest of materials: youth.

Stuck in the age-old paradox that blights many young minds, he is filled with unbound energy yet has few outlets to direct that energy towards. Refusing to stagnate or preoccupy himself with negativity, Blessing has joined The Imagination Hub as a motivational speaker, seeing the potential to lead his peers. “I think young people need guidance because it’s rough after school, and I think I’m one of many who are experiencing that,” said Blessing.

Drawing inspiration from international personalities and historical icons, he hopes to bring change to the streets he walks. “My role model in my life has to be Meek Mill. He is a young black entrepreneur and musician. I also look up to the late Nelson Mandela. My core message has always been to ‘dive in the box, but think outside it’, meaning seeking opportunities and making the most out of them.”

These opportunities, more specifically employment, will always be the greatest obstacle for the youth, and Blessing understands the knock-on effects, “My long-term vision is me knowing I’m living in a drug-free community were kids feel free to go to recreational centres and parks not being afraid of crime”.

He encouraged the powers that be to have faith in the youth to make the most of what they are given, saying, “The youth are the future and we must be taken into consideration in a lot of activities around our neighbourhood”.