Manganye restores hope of Soshanguve youngsters
24 May 2021
Thomas Manganye owner of Falal gym.
The youth of South Africa is faced with many challenges,
this includes the high rate of unemployment, crime, drug abuse and many other
socio-economic related challenges. The challenges go as far as affecting
communities like Soshanguve and other places, despite these challenges Thomas
Manganye from Soshanguve block F managed to rise above all obstacles and vowed
to help the youth of Soshanguve.
Manganye has taken a stand to open a gym in Soshanguve
community hall popular known as Falal, it is a place where young people gather
for activities that include bodybuilding and fitness, amongst other things
Manganye is committed to keep the youth off the streets and save them from drug
abuse, Manganye says they have managed to save three young people from drug
abuse in the recent years "in our community we have a serious problem of
drugs, it is a major problem'' said Manganye.
The recovery of Luyanda Khanyi (20), who was a drug addict
is also an example of the good work done by Mr Manganye. Khanyi says he was
using drugs for the past three years since 2018. "My friends introduced me
to drugs'' said Khanyi. Luyanda Khanyi is currently enrolled with Tshwane North
College doing electrical engineering. Khanyi said drug abuse is a serious
problem in Soshanguve and he will not advise a young person to take drugs, he
further mentioned that drug abuse made his relationship with his parents
unhealthy.
Luyanda Khanyi beats drug addiction.
Khanyi is not the only young
person assisted by Mr Manganye, other two young men are also tertiary students
in Pretoria central who were at school by the time of the interview. Young
females from Soshanguve also took part in the programs at the gym of Manganye,
Vuyisile Baleke is a young girl from Soshanguve “the gym helps young female to
stay off the streets, maintain a healthy lifestyle and stick to our diet
plan" said Vuyisile.
Vuyisile believes that the government must make
interventions on programs like this one "they should provide more gyms,
hire people to work in those gyms as a way of tackling unemployment for the
youth of Soshanguve in particular'' said Vuyisile.
The program of Manganye Thomas is not only focusing on the
gym but it is a vehicle for those who are less fortunate to get what they have
desired for a long time. Manganye is also working with the community forum of
Soshanguve to raise funds and make donations for school children who do not
have shoes and school uniforms.
I once met with Oupa Masilela in TUT, what an ambitious young man that was 2020.. I enjoyed his level of engaging and also humble he can interms of approach to public.. Its amazing.. Keep well young Man.
ReplyDeletethank you for the compliment, I hope you're well and safe out there.
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