Hardworking single mum, Ziyanda Kilimani (25), from Thornhill, together with local NPO, On Eagles’ Wings Multi-Purpose Centre, recently hosted the first of many mentorship workshops to uplift the young boys in the community.
Since there were not many activities for young boys in Thornhill and surrounding areas, in June last year, Kilimani, who has a nine-year-old son, Iminathi Kilimani, established Thornhill Uprising Stars, a junior soccer club to help develop their soccer skills and keep them active.
Despite initially establishing the soccer club to keep the boys occupied, she quickly realised that she needed to shift her focus to educating them on various social issues.
“I did not want the focus to be on soccer training only. Instead, I wanted to educate and empower these young boys with various interesting training programmes,” said Kilimani.
To kick start youth month on a positive note, on June 4, Kilimani, together with Jeffreys Bay-based NPO On Eagles Wings Multi-Purpose Centre, were able to host the first boys mentoring workshop at Thornhill Community Hall under the banner, ‘Take a boy child out of the streets through sports’.
She said there were many boys in her community who were involved in negative activities and with the boys’ mentoring workshop she hopes that they will be motivated, educated and empowered to do good in the community.
“Many of the soccer players in my soccer club have bright futures ahead of them with some aspiring to become doctors and police officers but these dreams can so easily be destroyed by peer pressure, drug abuse and gangsterism,” said Kilimani.
To further add to their difficulties, she said many of the boys in her soccer club were raised by single mothers, which has left them frustrated and angry.
Kilimani said, with many of them wanting to help their mothers financially, she did not want them to get involved in criminal activities.
During the workshop, she said the 30 young boys who were in attendance had a dialogue session on various topics and were then given participation certificates along with gifts which were sponsored by the Kouga Municipality.
In addition, the workshop hosted various motivational speakers which included Elroy Davids, from the Department of Correctional Services, together with two ex-convicts who shared their inspirational stories, while Ayabulela Jaji from LoveLife South Africa spoke about the importance of mental health.
Furthermore, Athenkosi RhalaRhala, a teacher at Makukhanye Primary School in Jeffreys Bay, reminded the boys about the importance of education.
To inspire the boys who were interested in becoming national and international soccer players, professional soccer player, Asanele Bonani, from Gqeberha-based soccer club, Chippa United FC, together with the soccer club official, Thanduxolo Ntoni, and South African Premier Division coach, Siyabulela Gwambi, shared motivational stories about their childhood and how they were able to overcome their difficult circumstances.
“These workshops are meant to remind the young boys that they are loved and have not been forgotten. I also wanted them to listen to success stories of others who were in similar situations but were able to continue pursuing their dreams,” said Kilimani.
Apart from sponsorships from the Kouga Municipality, Sanlam donated branded neck lanyards, while On Eagle Wings’ Multi-Purpose Centre provided the guests with food, fruit, and water during the workshop.
The soccer club also received soccer kits and gym equipment from Crossways Farm Village in Thornhill and a free sit-down meal at Crossways Kitchen Restaurant for the guests after the workshop was completed.
“I hope to see the boys in my community become successful but, in the meantime, I will not rest until I can help all the young people in Thornhill stay away from drugs and bad activities, which have been destroying my community,” said Kilimani.
“It has not been easy to do what I do but the word of God has strengthened me.”
The next workshop titled ‘Fatherhood Strategy Workshop’ will focus on educating fathers about the importance of building strong relationships with their sons which she hopes will expand to reach more areas in the Kouga region.
A date and venue for the workshop are yet to be confirmed.
- For more information contact Ziyanda Kilimani on 067 324 7990 or visit her Facebook page, Pinky Ezamatshawe Zeeyarnda.
