Stories of Hope

• SIMPHIWE MITIGANE

  Hope Academy first started running trials to select prisoners for the new Academy in Drakenstein Prison in January 2008. During this time Simphiwe was locked in isolation for violently stabbing two other inmates in the prison. Simphiwe was an active '28' gang member and had a violent history. However, he also had a love for football. Whilst the trials were taking place, Simphiwe begged the wardens to allow him to attend and trial for the Academy. One warden had pity on him and took him to the field. Once the Hope Academy coaches saw his talent they decided to give Simphiwe a chance. The Academy took a risk, shared God's love with him, and invested in his life. One day in the Academy cell he decided to leave the gang and embrace a dramatically different way of life. Simphiwe's life was changed and he has subsequently become a strong role model for other Prisoners. Since being released he has become a motivational speaker for youth in poor communities, sharing his story and the message of hope which changed him forever.

  

• THOKOZANE BANDA

  Thokozane joined the Soweto Hope Academy in April, 2010. Thokozane has already made a lasting impression on the coaches and our regular visitors at the Academy. It is clear she is a born leader with exceptional footballing talent for her age, which even puts her ahead of many of the boys in the Academy. Thokozane lost her mother to HIV/AIDS in 2008 and never knew her father. She lives in a home with 19 other family members where she is cared for by her grandmother. She dreams of playing for the national ladies team in South Africa and has the potential to do this. She also has a desire to become a police woman and serve her community. Hope Academy monitors her school progress, as well as providing support to her grandmother who also cares for Thokozane’s cousin Mbali, another member of the Academy. Many young girls like Thokozane are at risk of abuse in the townships. Through our partnership with Medical Knowledge Institute and Child Welfare we can decrease this risk substantially, giving this young girl the support and love every child deserves.

  

• CAMERON MTHEMBU

  Ambassadors In Sport (AIS) first met Cameron in 2007 during a coaches training course in Soweto. Cameron was born and raised in Soweto and had been using football as a tool to impact youth in his community for a number of years. As a member of Grace Community Church, he shared his dream of using football as a platform to tackle many of the social issues in his community. In 2009 Cameron launched the Soweto Hope Academy and under his leadership the Academy now works with 36 children on a daily basis and hundreds of others throughout the year. Over 250 coaches have been trained in Soweto and he mentors many of these coaches. AIS continue to train and equip Cameron in his leadership. Through our investment in one community leader we are now seeing a community impacted and making a radical difference in the lives of children, their families and the community.

  

• ABONGILE SODLAKA

  Abongile first joined the Hope Academy program in Drakenstein Youth Prison in 2008. Abongile was a '26' gang member and initially joined the Academy because of regular football training. During life-skills training he would often argue some of the points made by the coaches. However, over time Abongile’s heart softened. Eventually he publically rejected his old life in the gang (a decision that put him in personal danger) and embraced a more positive way of life. Abongile was released from prison in March 2010. Since his release, he has been followed up by Hope Academy coaches, is integrated in the local church, and the Academy has funded his development through an Electrical Engineering course. Abongile is now a role model and leader in his community. He has a strong desire to share the lessons of his life with youth in the townships. He wants to open his own business in the future.

  

• THABISO NOKWE

  Thabiso is 10 years old. He lost his mother in 2008 and has never known his father. Thabiso currently lives with his aunt and four cousins in a small shack in Soweto. No one is employed in his home and the family lives off a social grant from the Government. Despite this, he has made huge progress since joining the Soweto Hope Academy in April 2010. He has received 6 awards for academic progress in school and is also showing great potential on the soccer field. The Academy coaches play a significant role in his life as he has no father or male role model to support him. The Academy is also committed to developing him holistically until he leaves school and working alongside his family. With no regular intervention from positive role models, Thabiso would be in danger of making poor choices later in his life. Through long term intervention and mentoring we are giving Thabiso the best opportunity to be successful in the future.

  

• CHRIS NTESE

  We first met Chris when we were running football programs in Pollsmoor Prison in 2003. Chris was awaiting trial. When he was eventually sentenced in 2004 he was moved to Drakenstein. In 2009 he was accepted into the Academy. Chris always stood out as a leader and a young man with considerable potential. He excelled in the Academy and during this time studied for a business diploma through Intec. Chris was released in 2010 and immediately got a job at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The manager of KFC was so impressed by his discipline and attitude that she approached Hope Academy for more young men who “were just like Chris”. This led to another member of Hope Academy getting a job at KFC. Recently the manager left the store and recommended Chris for the position. Chris will take his exams in January and plans to use this position to help other boys in the Academy once released.

  

• MELIKHAYA NOBONGOZA

  Melikhaya (Meza) was one of the first players who were recruited for the Academy in 2008. ‘Meza’ was an active 26 gang member but had a desire to leave the gang and do something positive with his life. He was always conscious of becoming a good father and role model to his son once released. He knew this would mean leaving the gang, leaving crime and learning not only about football but also about the other aspects of the Academy. ‘Meza’ was the first Academy Captain and was well liked by the other players. He often spoke boldly if players in the team were behaving negatively. ‘Meza’ was released in 2009 and started working in McDonalds to provide income for his son and mother. Hope Academy often runs community events and he is always willing to take time off work and give back to his community. He also regularly comes back into the prison to encourage the new Academy members and motivate them to change and live better lives.

  

• LEON JONAS

  Mr Jonas was appointed by Drakenstein prison management as the warden to work alongside Hope Academy in 2008. Mr Jonas was part of the Drakenstein Prison Football Association and had a hunger and desire to work with inmates through sport. Our staff immediately saw the heart and desire of Mr Jonas and his clear passion to see these young men impacted and changed. He was willing to learn, was humble and was very excited about working within the Hope Academy program. Through his own involvement in the Academy Mr Jonas has made significant changes in his own life which have positively influenced his family and the inmates in the Academy. He has grown significantly as a leader through his involvement. Mr Jonas has been trained in the Academy system and is now able to coach football and life skills. His professional and character development have been an encouragement to all involved in Hope Academy.

  

• SINETHEMBA (SNE) GWABE

  We first met Sne in Pollsmoor Prison in 2007. Sne was transferred to our section with three other inmates - all of them self- professing 28 gang members. As a result they were all immediately in trouble for bad behaviour. Sne approached us one day with a desire to change and be involved in Hope Academy. We accepted him and he left the gang much to the anger and threats of the other gang members. Over time Sne began to make significant changes to his outlook on life and this was reflected in a positive change in his character. He was released on bail in 2007 and over two years set up a holistic football Academy in his community in Khayelitsha. Sadly Sne was placed back in prison as his bail ran out and his legal representation did not follow up his case. Hope Academy tracked him down in an adult section in Pollsmoor. He was subsequently transferred to Drakenstein where he now is one of our coaches and a great role model to the other inmates in the Academy. Hope Academy set him up correspondence course in Theology and he scored 78% on his last assignment!

  

• JOHN KHAKAZA

  John was one of the worst behaved inmates when we first met him in Pollsmoor. He had previously roamed the streets, could not speak English, had a hygiene problem, and no mother or father or home he could go to. John came to the Academy but was removed on numerous occasions because of his bad behaviour. Our coaches had lost patience with John, but as he approached us some time later there seemed to be a difference in his attitude. He showed real remorse and a desire to change the direction of his life. John came back to the Academy and the change in him was dramatic. He stopped smoking, stopped fighting and began to develop the character of a great leader. John never got visits in prison and this was tough. The Academy tried to locate his family and after searching the townships we found his sister who presumed John was dead. She wept bitterly when they were reunited - it was a special time. Since John was released he has got a job as an Electrician, he has married, and is a senior leader in his Church.

  

• THULANI GANTSO

  We first met Thulani in 2009 during trials at Pollsmoor Prison. Thulani showed a strong hunger to attend the Academy. As part of our recruitment we interview the wardens to discuss behavior and gang activity of Academy prospects. One warden said we shouldn’t even consider him because he was evil and a high ranking 28, so we didn't! Much to our surprise Thulani arrived at Drakenstein at the beginning of the 2010 season, even though he was not selected. However, as time progressed we began to see that Thulani was a special young man. We learnt later that the warden in Pollsmoor lied about his gang rank as Thulani was a top member in the prison band and they did not want to lose him from their prison. This ‘intervention’ has been significant for Thulani and the Academy. He has made significant changes to his life, has been appointed Captain of the Hope Academy, and is studying Theology. We are also committed to putting him through a Human Resource management course in 2012. Thulani is already a role model to other inmates and we trust will become a great role model and father to his son.

  

• SAM THULI

  Sam was only 14 years when he was sentenced to 8 years in Leeuwkop prison for car hijacking and indecent assault. In prison he encountered Hope Academy and Sam was selected to join the squad in 2008. Life in prison became more difficult when Sam heard that his mother had died, it was at this time that his life hit an all time low and he opened up to the coaches in the Academy. Sam experienced genuine love that was displayed in the lives of the coaches and he began to make significant changes in his life. Sam is an amazing young man, passionate about his continued life change and hungry to learn. He is now employed at the Soweto Hope Academy as an assistant coach and is a role model and leader to our young children. Sam is a living testimony to a transformed life and that true hope is possible even in the most difficult circumstances.