A nyaope recovering drug eddict Melusi Magubane from Katlehong in Ekurhuleni says his life was centered on drugs. Video by Happy Mnguni @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/1Xv0spoX1k
— happy mnguni (@happy_mnguni) March 15, 2024
A RECOVERING nyaope addict has received a second chance in life.
Melusi Magubane from Katlehong in Ekurhuleni has lived in the streets for more than 10 years.
But now he has another chance to fix his life.
“Today, I stand proud to say I'm 61 days clean and sober after living in the dreadful disease of addiction for over 10 years in the streets. My whole life was centred on drugs.
“Getting and using and finding means to get more, I used drugs to live life, and I live my life using drugs I couldn't face life on his terms without getting high and facing life sober,” said Melusi.
He dropped out of the University of Joburg (UJ) after his mother's death.
Melusi was in his third year and dropped out in the second semester.
He claimed that his father sold the family house and disappeared.
The recovering addict lived on the streets since 2011, and his life changed in December 2023. This was after his former teacher found him begging on the streets.
On Thursday, 14 March, Melusi thanked everyone who helped him get his life back on track at an event at Banareng Office Suppliers in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni.
He said that he couldn’t finish his Bachelor of Accounting Science studies at UJ.
“Since I landed on the streets, I've been indulging in drugs that made me lose myself until I developed the gift of desperation to change. I was fortunate to meet up with my former teachers and Rufus Moagi, whom I call angels because they came to my rescue.
“I can't afford to use drugs again because I've been powerless, and my life had been unmanageable," he said.
Melusi said he tried several times to stop using drugs, but he couldn't.
Rufus, the owner of Banareng Office Suppliers, said he met Melusi through World Changers Candidate.
“When I heard his story, I was touched. We, as Banareng, decided to help him.
“For the fact that I've been on the streets before, I know how it felt. We believe we can make a difference in his life," he said.
Rufus told Daily Sun that they've organised a place for Melusi to stay and will offer him a job.
“We will go the extra mile to ensure his dream comes to reality. If he wants to go back and finish his degree, we will support him,” he said.
Former teachers at Phumlani Secondary School in Katlehong said they're happy that they've managed to help Melusi.
Teacher Itumeleng Hlabanelo said he was driving around Randburg when he saw Melusi.
“Seeing Melusi on the streets as a beggar, I felt so bad. Emotionally, I was drained. I even cried. I spoke to some of my colleagues, and we decided to help him.
“We then arranged to go and meet him,” said Itumeleng.
Another former teacher, Portia Ndema, said they teamed up with other teachers to ensure they helped Melusi.
“He told us he needed a job so he could carry on with his life, but we could see he was in a bad state.
“But given the condition that he was in at that time, it wasn't possible to get him a job. We connected Melusi with Lucas Mahlakgane from World Changers Candidates, who then organised a rehab for him,” said Portia.
The chairman of World Changers Candidates, Lucas Mahlakgane, said they're glad they've helped Melusi.
“Melusi has undergone a rehab programme, and he's now going through our aftercare programme. This programme involves attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings every week, joining the team of World Changers Candidate Ambassador as an Anti-Substance Abuse activist like our first World Changer Candidate Kabelo Mabalane," he said.
For more news and entertainment at the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link:
