ALI MPHAKI
YOUTH activist and one-time convict Calvin Mathibedi led a youth protest with a difference at the weekend.
The 38-year-old’s Humanity Carnival Walk took place in the streets of Phiri on Saturday.
Accompanied by about 100 brightly clad young men and women holding posters decrying the high level of crime in the suburb, Mathibedi said a lot of young people in Phiri were idle, which made it easier to get mixed up in crime and drugs.
It was essential for the community to come together and devise strategies to empower the young, most of whom were either unemployed or not attending school.
Mathibedi said difficult living conditions in the high-density suburb, with a prevalence of two-room houses, were making it difficult for youth to stay at home – but that was not a passport to take drugs and abuse alcohol.
Another problem was a lack of recreational facilities.
Mathibedi said a new drug called nyaope was spreading in the suburb, and serious efforts needed to be taken to tackle this scourge head-on.
He noted that the youth in the area had a low sense of self-esteem and were in desperate need of motivation.
Mathibedi said these problems had prompted him three years ago to start the Soweto Fun Club and Development, which operated from a house garage.
The organisation offered the unemployed life-skills courses such waitering, tips on handling a job interview and the power of positive thinking.
It has since moved to bigger premises at a local church.
During the week, Mathibedi offers motivational talks, seminars and debates at the church.
From time to time he invites athletes involved in what he calls “scarce” sports like squash, golf, equestrian disciplines and tennis to give talks about their sports to the youngsters.
Mathibedi said Phiri had produced some sporting greats. Soccer stars such as Chippa Molatedi, Shasha Moleko, Thabo Shai and Joel Seroba came from Phiri.
Bafana Bafana star midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, who hails from nearby Mapetla, was considered a Phiri product due to its close proximity.
Mathibedi said he always mentioned these sporting heroes to try to stress the point that being born in a disadvantaged community did not have to prevent one from reaching the stars.
“If you can dream it you can do it,” he insists.