Siyabulela Bekunyawo, a 32 -year-old from Westonaria says he got tired of suffering and slavery to drugs. “I had to do something with my life, I had to fight for my life not just for myself but for my family and my son”, he said. Siyabulela said nothing pushed him to drugs other than being forward, because he had a job and a family to take care of, but he ruined all of that just for fun.

“I will not say I was poor, I had everything I needed and reasons to live for. It all started in 2015 I just wanted to taste it and I did without knowing the consequences of my actions. I smoked it once and the following day I was craving for it. I found myself deep in drugs, I smoked everything in front of me. I was doing terrible things in the community be it theft, robbery, house braking. I was something else that people could not recognize, I was danger to society and to myself” He said his family was most affected by his new life because he would do dreadful things to the community, and they would go to his house to report. He would get arrested every now and then, being bitten by mob in the community that he almost lost his life in their hands. Although he relocated to some provinces he continued with his old ways and end up in prison.

“I decided to change my ways I always thought about quitting but I could not, the addiction was too much. I had to put my foot down and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, I was tired of being controlled by drugs. I was tired of being called by names and I was tired of neglecting my responsibilities as a son, brother, and father. I was tired of being called names, I owned the NYAOPE title, and my life was at substantial risk”.

“I am grateful to Qala Butsha organisation in Bekkersdal, they helped me in getting to rehab. I prayed a lot in rehab, asking God to intervene because somehow, I felt like under Satan’s spell. The demon was overpowering me and defeating but I asked God to give me power and strength to fight back”.

He said going to rehab had to be his decision not someone pushing him. Some people were dropping out because they could not stand the addiction, but he had stay for that whole period to change his life. He had to cooperate with the rehab so that he can get helped.

“They taught us how to behave, giving us medication and praying a lot. After I was clean from drugs, I went back to the organisation so that I can wake up every morning and do something about my life. The other day we were in Westonaria municipality to mobilise I then met Bambisandla-Sam West Rand Centre of Excellence; they registered me in their data base. After some time, I managed to be registered as their learner for Garment Construction Skills Program. I did my theory and practicals in their Centre for 3 months. The future is promising, I can now design anything I want on my own I have always been into fashion but now that I have qualification to back up.

Living in Bambisandla Sam accommodation was a great experience for me sharing the room with my peers was peaceful and enjoyable. We learnt how to behave and carry ourselves as adults, sharing the little you have with others and mostly respecting one another. The thought of going home and leaving place was frustrating me every day, I decided to go and ask for a job in Stitchwise, it is a sewing firm just nearby Bambisandla- Sam I got the job immediately, I must say that I am proud of myself and very grateful to Bambisandla Sam West Rand Centre of Excellence and the Gauteng Department of Social Development.