Intuthuko yesizwe brings hope to young people in eMbalenhle
eMbalenhle youth is exposed to many bad activities like crime, drugs and substance abuse.
Intuthuko yesizwe community organisation is celebrating its fourth year anniversary on tutoring and mentoring young people of eMbalenhle.
The organisation was established three years ago by young people, including its chairman, Mr Sizwe Mahlangu, to help learners who struggle with mathematics and science at school and to assist the youth who use drugs by mentoring and making them aware of the damaging effects drugs have on their lives.
“We are concerned for our township’s youth who are abusing drugs and getting involved in criminal activities.
“By mentoring them, we are trying to show them another side of life and to discourage them from following celebrities who are bad examples or who promote the use of drugs,” said Mr Mahlangu.
“The eMbalenhle youth is exposed to many bad activities like crime, drugs and substance abuse. You find them walking in the streets carrying beer bottles. Then you ask yourself what went wrong. We promote education to fight those activities and building future leaders,” said Mr Mahlangu.
Mr Mahlangu said sometimes they struggle to identify role models in the township because of the gap between those who are successful in life and the eMbalenhle youth.
He said many young people of eMbalenhle believe that good role models are those celebrities seen on TV. Some actors and singers play criminal roles on screen and the young people, that person is their leader.
“You always see them imitating some singer or actor, mostly those who play crime masters on TV because the role models in our township are not availing themselves to the youth.
“We have successful young businessmen, political leaders, singers and actors who are from eMbalenhle, but they are unavailable to assist in building the future leaders of eMbalenhle,” Mr Mahlangu said.
He thanked those who managed to come forth to inspire the young people during their anniversary celebration.
“We still need them to close the gap and sometimes visit us without notice, that will bring another picture to the youth of eMbalenhle,” said Mr Mahlangu.
Mr Mahlangu also said the organisation also show learners that maths and science are actually simple and interesting.
“At school, teachers are working on a timetable with limited time but us we can work according to a learner’s ability to learn.
“We want to build future leaders and we are using my home car garage to assist our community for the better,” said Mr Mahlangu.
He said any young person or anyone who wants to participate in their programmes, can visit their Facebook page, Intuthuko yesizwe or call 076 034 7305.