Spreading awareness and hope

BruinChild Media and partner organisations spread awareness and hope at Lentegeur High School in celebration of Mandela Day.

The 67-minute programme took place on Tuesday July 18 and was presented by BruinChild Media, together with B&M Scientific, Vumatel, Safer Schools, Ashley Uys, Get It Entertainment and the X-Prison Ministry.

A minute of silence was held for the six deceased children who died in the tragic accident on AZ Berman Drive in May. Rapper, Mr MP, performed a song called Mitchell’s Pain as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

BruinChild Media founder Alex Cupido said: “Mitchell’s Plain is a place where gangsterism and drugs are on every corner. It has infiltrated some schools. The teachers battle and some of them fear for their lives while working in these high schools.”

Mr Cupido who was a former drug addict said organising social awareness campaigns is a personal mission for him.

“Tik nearly ruined my life. I was an addict for 15 years. Drugs left me hopeless and homeless. My father was murdered outside our gate when I was two years old during an argument about drugs. I started using as a teen and would have also lost my life if I continued down the same dark and dangerous path,” he said.

The Lentegeur Volleyball Club handed certificates to students who excelled in sports – two girls, Shurian Moonsamy, Divida Johns, were selected for the Western Cape Volleyball Team and Niyaaz Barnes was selected for the Western Province Rugby Team.

Leader of the X-Prison Ministry, Franklin Cupido, spoke about what he went through in prison. Ashley Uys, CEO of Medical Biodiagnostic, inspired the crowd with his story about growing up in poor conditions, but not letting that stop him from becoming an owner of a leading biotech company in Cape Town.

Safe Schools officer, Cameron du Toit, said substance abuse, gangsterism and safety in schools is a key focus for the education department.

B&M Scientific CEO, Majid Hargey, said: “Nelson Mandela said the youth are our leaders of tomorrow. The future is in their hands.”