GEORGE NEWS - A Dutch citizen and long-standing benefactor of people in the George community has made a sponsorship available to Thembalethan Daniël Sithole (53) to buy a property in Zone 9 where he can re-establish his gym that burned down about two years ago.

Owner of the Angels4Angels charity foundation, Marieke Bunnik, says the problem is they have not found an available property despite searching for months on end. "We have identified suitable municipal properties, but slow municipal processes have frustrated our efforts," she says.

She used to be a property owner in Ballot's Bay where Sithole was a long-standing security guard. "I've learned that Daniël has a heart for children and he used to provide self-defence and fitness classes to children to keep them off the street. I would really like to help him resume his classes."

Efforts of another former Ballot's Bay resident who came to know Sithole, estate agent Dirk van Eeden, have until now also led to a dead end.

Sithole with some of his gym equipment that is now standing outside after the gym building burned down two years ago.

Sithole says the children loved his training. "It is important to keep them busy, off the streets, and away from drugs. Many children's parents work while the young ones are not in anyone's care and they are vulnerable. For such children, I like to set an example and I teach them what a healthy, disciplined life is. Where I live now, training is not allowed and it is also not a suitable spot."

In the meantime, Bunnik has introduced Sithole to a kickboxing club and is sponsoring some lessons for him to sharpen his skills under the wing of Chayse Norris, a kickboxer for the past 10 years.

The property where Sithole now lives is rented and shared and not suitable for his gym.

Says Norris, "Daniël is very dedicated and driven towards giving the children of his community the best tool that anyone can give them, the tool of self-defence. In addition, he is providing a safe environment for them to have fun and learn at the same time. I'm privileged to be able to help him on his journey and hope he can pass on much-needed life skills such as commitment, dedication, and hard work to the kids in his community."

Anyone who can assist in finding a property to buy, may contact Dirk van Eeden on 082 591 6059.

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