{"id":49919,"date":"2023-05-02T13:06:31","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T11:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/albert-on-a-mission-to-plough-back-20230501\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:54:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:54:18","slug":"albert-on-a-mission-to-plough-back-20230501","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/albert-on-a-mission-to-plough-back-20230501\/","title":{"rendered":"Albert on a mission to plough back: Former addict hopes to help youth make better choices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Albert Matthews, a former Kensington High School learner, devotes his time to plough back into his community by encouraging young people to not allow their circumstances to define their destiny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews\u2019 life took a turn for the worse 19 years ago when he decided to drop out of school during his final year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was soon caught up in a life of gangsterism and drugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI grew up on 10th Avenue, my dad was a drug addict and my mom an alcoholic. My brothers were into drugs and gangsterism, so I never had a role model (in my) family.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains that his turning point came when his friend was shot and killed in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy friend was shot 14 times in front of me. A few days after that, we had a memorial service for him. A few days after that another friend was killed. I moved to Hanover Park and that is where I started making a change in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fast-forward to today, Matthews works as a team leader for a community service organisation called Nacosa, which aims to build strong, equal and healthy communities free from the burden of HIV\/ Aids, TB and gender-based violence (GBV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews says: \u201cAt Nacosa we are implementing GBV prevention interventions in multiple schools and communities across Cape Town. This is done via the provision of package of services known as the DREAMS primary package. We have the No Means No Women\u2019s programme where young women are taught how to defend themselves in dangerous situations that may lead to them falling victim to sexual assault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe No Means No Men\u2019s programme is where we teach men and boys about gender roles, gender myths and stereotype, and consent. We also share sexual reproductive health information.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

Albert Matthews interacting with learners. PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This year Matthews celebrates 16 years free of drugs and gangsterism and through the organisation he now motivates learners to make the right choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains that he always envisioned ploughing back into the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always had this desire to come and give back to the school and come and empower the learners. I have conversations with learners, and I share my life story with them of how my bad decisions have taken me nowhere.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The married father of two says he always had a passion for young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a passion to develop young people. I tell them not to go down that same road I have been down. Young people must know they have a purpose. And as young people we miss living out our purpose and we just seem to exist, but my main message to young people is, find your purpose and walk in it, once you walk in your purpose you will see that you have a fulfilled life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews says the current principal at Kensington High School always believed in him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMrs Manuels was my grade head at the time, and she was always the one advocating for me, she saw the Albert that I am today. I want to thank her for never giving up on me and for seeing the good inside of me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An inspiration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hazel Manuels, principal at the school, says she always knew Matthews was destined for success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was his Afrikaans educator at the time when he left school. With Albert I saw the potential, he was a very clever and outstanding boy. I immediately saw that if this boy applied himself, he could go far in life. But then he made the wrong choices, but luckily, he had a second chance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manuels says Matthews\u2019 life story serves as an inspiration to other learners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe came back to the school and did some motivation for our matriculants a year ago. I am very proud to see him plough back. I am proud to see the man he has become, he is an upright man in society, he is an example and a role model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want him to return and speak to our matriculants again because he is one of our success stories that irrespective of the mistakes he made, he came back and the Lord changed his life. Now he is a role model for many. As educators we plough a lot into children\u2019s lives, thousands of children go through our hands and only a few come back to say thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

Albert Matthews and Hazel Manuels. PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Manuels believes the No Means No programme is beneficial to the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe programme is a benefit to the school making the learners aware about their rights, empowering them and giving them skills on how to protect themselves, because a lot of our learners also fall prey to sexual predators.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manuels says Matthews will also be providing information sessions to teachers at the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should be equal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People\u2019s Post<\/em> <\/span>spoke to a few Grade 11 learners who say they feel empowered by the programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armien Dawood says: \u201cI will try to treat women more equally. I will not be aggressive towards women.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Randi Greenwood says men and women should be equal and be treated the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese kinds of conversations are important because it teaches young males to respect females and it teaches females to respect males and treat each other equally and not overstep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adrienne Armenville says: \u201cWhat stood out for me is that they inspired me to be different. They gave us so much insight on rape and gender-based violence. I think these conversations are important because there are children going through things and they don\u2019t speak about it and bottle it up and then take it out on the wrong people. That could lead them to doing things that they will regret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews encourages young people to not allow their circumstances to define them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe only thing that is going to allow us to make the change and be the change is a decision that you need to make. People cannot take the power of choice away from you. Wake up every morning saying to yourself, I am going to be the best version of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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