It gives me so much joy and pride to realize that the leaders I left in Mutare have, in a very short time, surpassed what I have done over the years. Whilst taking a short rest from work, I took time to do a progress check on all Mutare Youthzones activities and I can gladly and confidently say I was thoroughly impressed!!! Below, is just but a few of what caught my…

In numerical or monetary terms, the number 30,000 is quite substantial. What with R30,000 or 30,000 bricks etc...? Yesterday, 'The General' (Sifiso Mtsi), (as I affectionately call him due to his massive influence in his community) and I, had a rare opportunity to see 30,000 cyclists...yes you read it well, 30,000 cyclists who were all taking part in the Momentum 94-7 Cycle…

The word UNIQUE seems to be an understatement when describing yesterday’s training event for the youth leaders, courtesy of Youthzones and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). The level of responsibility and innovation exhibited by the leaders proved that the core objectives of Youthzones are being realized. Slowly but surely we are getting there!

Part of the…

During my visit to Mutare a fortnight ago, I was very impressed by the self-propelling attitude and creativity portrayed by the youth. They are always coming up with initiatives to stay afloat and soldier on in spite of all the well-known challenges they are facing. Instead of getting into a corner waiting for miracles to occur, or sitting on top of bins in the streets blaming bad government policies and so on, they realize that life has to go on and have to make things happen for…

Our winner for the Cell C Website Competition # 2  is Sipho 'Fabian' Mathonsi!!! Congratulations, you have won yourself and your team 23 new Cell C khaki pants!! You will go ahead with the plans you mentioned of adjusting the sizes to suit your team members!!!

It is here where it happens!!!…

(Morven & Sharon pose for a picture at their wedding yesterday)

When both his parents passed away, he was still at a very tender age and had not yet even completed high school. Many a people would predict a disastrous end to his young promising life. As the first born son, he was left to look after his younger twin…

For all those who missed out on the Cell C Website competition # 1, here is a BIG chance to win yourselves something special!!! We have more than forty (40) Cell C branded khaki pants (in picture above), that you can win together with your team, choir or dance group!!! As you can see, all the pants…

Congratulations to our following winners;

1. Sipho "Barthez" Mathonsi     (Nkomazi)          (R1,000.00)           (First Prize)…

Despite the rains that had been falling moments before our arrival, we found Disebo and her young team of more than 40 kids anxiously waiting for us in Zenzele. We were very well received amid excitement and dancing from this mixed group mainly comprising of kids and a couple of teenagers. As we got down to business, our very first task was a special and delicate task where…

The scorching heat could not deter the Ikemeleng community from coming to the stadium to witness the football knockout tournament organised by the youth.I discovered that these activities mean a lot to all age groups to this entertainment starved settlement. Indeed, it was worth it, as there was a lot of talent and thrilling football skills that were being showcased. My big…

My main mission when I accompanied Doc to Steelpoort on Tuesday, was to assist, observe and learn how things work out there. What I saw really impressed me. I learnt that Youthzones is much more than building general friendship but long-lasting genuine and effective relationships. It must not be a job but a passion. Our main aim there was to establish a new site at Mashishing…

This day, 13 January 2015, will remain tattooed in the minds of many in the Youthzones family, as we had a great privilege to meet Her Highness, the Ambassador of Netherlands Ms Marisa Gerards and the Netherlands Cricket Team who are touring South Africa. What makes it so special is the fact that in a great spirit of humility, she found time in her extremely tight schedule to…

In happier times: Mondli (right) receiving a soccer kit donation from Scotland on behalf of his team.

It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that we learnt of the passing on of our dear friend, brother and colleague Mondli Blessing from Umlazi!!! His untimely death came as a big blow to this family as it comes…

Hanging out with the youths in Kameeldrift for 5 hours prior to the Bidvest Wits vs Free State Stars game was an awesome experience for me. Having the opportunity to see the other side of life and different lifestyles made me learn to appreciate life. It was very educative and full of fun. By the time the bus (courtesy of Protea Coin), came to ferry 45 excited youths…

The Unisa event that took place last week on Friday the 7th in Kameeldrift was awesome. It was humbling to witness a whole group of Professors led by the Dean of the College of Law, sacrificing their congested schedules just to mix and mingle with the youths in a modest place like DK.To most of the youths, it was a lifetime event, we had never anticipated…

For the past 2 months that I have been in SA, I board a taxi almost everyday to and from work and I have noted with a bit of apprehension that contrary to what happens back in Zim, where people easily interact in the taxi, here the mood therein resembles that of people accompanying a corpse to it's final resting place!!! It's so tense regardless it's Monday or Friday!!! Honestly, to me it could be a blessing in disguise as I am yet to absorb the "XELI CHANGE", SANBONANI and other Zulu/Xhosa…

The ongoing Unisa Monitoring and Evaluation Workshops being carried out by Professor Johan Prinsloo and his wonderful team from Unisa, have proved to be a big success as they have not only helped in getting information but have also been instrumental in opening up sensitive issues that have been silently affecting some youths in and around the sites.

Shocking cases of child abuse and molestation, among many others were unearthed. These young lives have been…

I travelled safely all the way from Mutare to Joburg and am looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow. Am so ecstatic and can not wait to see every member of this big happy family (Youthzones). I hope and am confident that my being here will be valuable to the family!!! It's always pleasure working with everyone here. I love you all!!!

Results will always be there for everyone to see the effectiveness and impact of Youthzones here in Mutare. A couple of months ago, it was Tichaona Mabvura who made a major breakthrough and made the grade at the biggest and successful team in Zim, Dynamos. He is making rave waves as we speak and is now a household name at the team. Today, I am proud to notify everyone that Mutare Youthzones member, Prosper Matizanadzo, has been called to the Zimbabwe National Soccer team, the Warriors!!!! He…

The bus will be leaving in less than an hour and all is set for Doc and Simon to leave Mutare for Joburg. After a very hectic but successful program, we urgently have to be at the internet cafe for a few updates, oh, a bit of cash is needed for the journey as well!!!

A little knock is heard outside the gate, young Tanyaradzwa is waiting there clad in her brown school uniform. She entered the house and was surprised to see unfamiliar faces. She greets everyone with a little smile on…