GEORGE NEWS - Following the ongoing youth violence in Thembalethu schools, a group of young married men started an organisation called Big Brother Mentoring Programme to address issues related to gang violence in and outside the school's walls to possibly put an end to this phenomenon that has claimed many lives so far.

Chairperson and founding member of the programme, Mvuyisi Ntoni, says their mission is to equip future leaders by inspiring, empowering and building character through mentoring and to assist and develop a positive attitude, thoughts, beliefs, and a great future.

"Big Brother is an initiative designed to tackle all these behaviours in our community, such as alcohol and drug abuse, which lead to youth violence. Most of our young men grow up without a father figure in their lives. This causes anguish, anger, disappointment, low self-esteem and resentment. Hence they take it out on anyone they find in their way. Some try to find ways to make a living by selling drugs," said Ntoni.

The programme will provide a listening ear to young men, to help them fully understand the nature of their problem and find a way forward. It is supported by a number of stakeholders, including the police, and is open to working with anyone that supports the vision of the organisation. 

Big Brother Mentoring Programme is run at Imizamo Yethu Secondary School, where they meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday after school. They use oral and literary means (debate, public speaking, poetry etc), Futsal (indoor soccer), dance, drama and logic games (puzzles, chess and drafts) to interact with the learners.

For more information please contact Ntoni on 073 982 4032.

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