How Manqoba Ngubane turned his life around.

“My name is Manqoba Comfort Ngubane. I was raised by my grandmother in dire poverty, and it left me a bitter, angry child. My mother passed away when I was young, and my father lived with another partner and didn't provide for me financially, I had to beg him for everything I needed. It broke my heart, and it left me angry.

At 18, I started using drugs and alcohol, thinking it would help me forget my problems. It didn't, instead I became depressed, and to feed the habit I started stealing from people. My family wasn't happy with my behaviour, and I was eventually asked to leave home after taking my grandmother's pension money. I moved from place to place.

My life changed after I went to a shelter at Lahee Park during the hardest lockdown of the pandemic. In my first week there, I met Kirshnie Pather, a facilitator with WORK 4 A LIVING. She taught me life skills through the Job-Excellence program, financial literacy, professionalism, work ethic and values.

Something clicked. I stopped using drugs and alcohol that same week, and haven't gone back since. I found the strength to leave my old life behind, forgave my father, and rebuilt a healthy relationship with my family.

Today I run my own business sourcing and selling gym-wear, and I've started a fast food tuck shop as well. I'm seeing a profit, I have a place to stay, and I've employed two people. Taking ownership of my problems is what gave me a real, lasting way forward.”