TWO pupils who were captured on video smoking dagga have changed their lives for the better.
Nceba Ngwenya (20) and Katlego Mabena (18) are now ambassadors of World Changer’s Candidates, social and anti-drug activities.
Nceba was doing matric in 2022 when he was among 37 pupils who were captured in a video smoking dagga at school.
The 20-year old said the incident changed his life.
Now Nceba is the president of Ekurhuleni Parliament and social and drug activist.
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Later this month, Nceba will represent Mzansi at the Best Diplomat Conference in Thailand. The conference will run from 28 April until 1 May.
The conference is a New York based diplomatic organisation which serves as a platform for young leaders and changemakers to exchange ideas and resolve the most challenging global issues.
The programme is endorsed by United Nations (UN).
“The incident was like blessing in disguise for me because I was there with the group of people but not smoking dagga. However, I was punished and I had to resign as the president of the school.
“It was a painful moments, but it lead me to an initiative and to be an drug activist,” Nceba said.
He said he is grateful that he will be part of the conference in Thailand.
“I will be speaking at the conference about drug use challenges that young people are struggling with in this country. Drugs have destroyed many youth's lives in Mzansi,” he said.
Nceba’s mum, Lindi Ngwenya, said she was disappointed about what happened at the school.
“It took some days to accept what happened to my son but we sat down as a family and decided to support him. I’m glad things have changed and turned out into blessing for him,” she said.
On 20 April, Leondale High School will host a special assembly from 7am until 9am, which will be attended by parents, teachers, SGB and pupils to stop the repeat of what happened last year when pupils threw a party to celebrate within the school premises.
Grade 12 pupil Katlego Mabena (18) said she regrets what happened last year.
Katlego is now running an emotional support group session at the school.
“Peer pressure can lead youth to do wrong things but I’ve learnt my lesson and now I’m glad that I’m changing the lives of my fellow pupils,” she said.
Katlego will be representing Mzansi in Best Diplomat Conference to be held in December 2023.
Katlego’s mum Dikeledi Mabena said she felt bad when her daughter told her she was captured in the video smoking dagga.
"But this is in the past now and I’m happy she is among the pupils who are helping their peers who do drugs,” said the mum.
