I was brought up by a single mom who was a domestic worker. Growing up I was one of the smartest children in my class, but I became a victim of bullying.
In high school I decided to join a group of guys that seemed “cool” to me to avoid being bullied. They were smoking cigarettes, so I began smoking to try and fit in.
In Grade 9 we started smoking dagga and by the following year we had progressed to smoking mandrax and I began to neglect my schoolwork. Because I couldn’t afford to buy drugs, I became a very active thief at school and in my community and I also began stealing from my mom.
I was given a condoned pass at the end of Grade 10, but I failed grade 11 and decided to quit school and live a life of crime. I was arrested and inside prison I joined one of the “number ” gangs. Because of the covenants of the gang, I regularly found myself back in prison in the years that followed.
One day I robbed someone whose family members were very dangerous and I was targeted to be assassinated. From that day on my world started shrinking as none of my relatives wanted me near them – not even the drug lords wanted me near them.
I realized how drugs have ruined my life, and how they were dragging me to death.
Then I heard of kwaSizabantu Mission, and the organization called CYPSA and that they provide help to hopeless people like me. I decided to go to CYPSA seeking refuge and to quit drugs.
When I arrived, I was told that no medication would be given to me, but that the name of Jesus Christ would be my remedy. To me this sounded like a fairytale but decided to try it out because I had no other option.
I was taught that the way to reconcile with God is through confession of sin. I started confessing my sins and felt the burden of being a drug addict, criminal and hopelessness being lifted from my shoulders.
Today I’m free from drugs and the life of crime thanks to the name above all other names, Jesus Christ. I now work with CYPSA assisting and supervising those who arrive with the organization seeking help.
Friends, family, community, prison and even the threat of death could not save me – but God did not fail.
