BONGANI Zweni (33), from Dimbaza, is making a remarkable difference in his community through his initiative, the Bright Ideas Movement (BiM).
In an interview with Mthatha Express, Zweni described the current state of affairs in his community as dire. “Dimbaza is grappling with an increasing rate of unemployment, crime, and poverty. This combination of circumstances results in more kids dropping out of school and using drugs. Some end up getting involved in criminal activities.”
He said creating substance abuse awareness in a drug-ridden community is not easy, but he has dedicated his life to this cause, which is so close to his heart because of his personal experiences. “As a former gang member and drug addict, I know firsthand how it feels to have your entire life derailed because of a few bad choices. I also know how mortifying it feels to ultimately deal with the consequences of those choices. That is why I took it upon myself to try and be the hero I needed when I was growing up.”
Thirteen-year-old Nasiphe Datini, from Polapark, said being a part of the BiM team keeps him busy with his extracurricular activities and motivates him to stay focused on his studies, leaving him with no time to smoke on street corners, drink, or pickpocket. “I just wish we could get help from our councillor to secure our own premises, as we are always moving from one place to the next.”
In his latest project, Street Dance, Zweni uses acting, singing, dancing, and poetry to unify different sections of Dimbaza and foster team spirit and collaboration. “The response to the Street Dance Challenge has been great. We now have seven groups made up of 35 amazingly talented dancers.”
His movement has also hosted other charitable initiatives, such as collecting and donating school uniforms, stationery, toiletries, and clothing to those who need them most.
“I have been knocking on so many doors, including local churches, businesses, and the police, seeking support. But there have been generous members of the community who have been very supportive, walking this journey with me. Some have come through with food donations when we ran a soup kitchen, as well as clothes and stationery when we made pleas across social media platforms.” He said there is so much more he could achieve with just a little more support.
