By Asiphe Mangumta
Moses Mduduzi Gama, is an activist for drugs and alcohol abuse living in Nhlapho section,Katlehong. The 40 year old is the founder of Tsohang Youth Project. He is working to improve the lives of those addicted with drugs or alcohol and also prevent youth from using drugs by giving them an alternative option that will keep them busy and also lead them to the right path for brighter future. Moses make use of organizations like Clap N Tap music and Arising Star school challenge to mentor the youth,He make use of their talent and teach them to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
He started lending a helping hand after having bad company, but realised the wrong path will lead him to death or prison. In his high school days he became active and volunteered in local NGOs after matric. Moses said, he wanted to be an Accountant, but the universe had other plans for him.
In 2005 he decided o use his experience to start his Non-profit Organization ,which is now called Tsohang Youth Project. For him it was easier to do so ,since he was staying in a township where drug abuse and alcohol abuse was in high levels.
He explained the organization as a call for young people to wake up and do something about the troubling issues they are faced with.
Moses grew up attending apostolic church where music is mostly the order of the day. He is also doing a campaign with Tsohang Youth Project called One Kasi ,One Treatment centre campaign which is a call for sufficient resources inpatient treatment , halfway house,aftercare programme and accessibility of these in township and rural areas. “If I were to count rehab centre that I know ,surely they don’t reach five, but if I were to count tavern or liquor stores or jail I would have to use my toes as well and still not finish", said Moses.
Moses assured that it will be his dream come through to see rehab centre in most township. This activist like any other has faced challenges of not receiving enough support in making communities drug free and alcohol abuse free instead he received more negative support or discouragement, people continue to support drug and alcohol businesses than supporting youth to live better and have a better future. Moses said “Ukufa Kwenqondo ukufa komuntu”, this means the death of the mind is the death of the person of which these substances are doing to the youth of Mzansi.
“a person is a resource, if one don’t have other resources, that person must serve”, he concluded.
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