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HOPE AND SKILL: Underprivileged boys are trained to become panelbeaters at Leeson's Panelbeaters in Midrand. Vusi Magocoba, 21, tries out a technique while panelbeater Bani Vilani oversees. PHOTO: MABUTI KALI

 There is no harm in giving anyone a chance 

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NKULULEKO Gumede and Lesego Legoale of Roodepoort, Johannesburg, share their passion for cars with under-privileged boys - giving them hope of a better future.

Six boys, aged 16 to 21, from Sparrow Rainbow Village in Maraisburg, west of Johannesburg, are enjoying free and informal panelbeating training through Gumede and Legoale's Ikusasa Lethu initiative.

Their programme targets academically challenged youngsters.

Gumede said he hated seeing his peers who failed school driven into bad habits, like drugs and dropping out.

"I went to a special needs school and did not do well in my academic subjects.

"I knew I was not the only one with this problem and I wanted to reach out to others less privileged and facing the same challenges."

Known as the White Wall Boys, Gumede, 22, and Legoale, 23, said they believed in ubuntu.

"These children have been through harsh situations and they struggle in school, but they are really good with their hands.

"Our aim is to transfer skills. Instead of just improving our own lives, we decided to lift others to also one day succeed."

Though the mechanics began their work at the back of Gumede's house in 2009, they now have facilities and guidance from Leeson's Panelbeaters in Midrand three days a week.

Thabang Mafereka, 16, has been at Sparrow for three years and is glad to be kept out of trouble.

"Being here (the workshop) keeps me out of the trouble I used to be in, at least now there is something better for me to do," he said.

The Grade 9 pupil said his main problem is ill-discipline.

"I get challenged when I stop focusing in class."

Mafereka also mentioned that he enjoyed learning about cars and that after high school he plans to further his studies in electrical engineering.

The boys' guardian, Bafana Gxubane, said it was normal for children in houses of safety to not finish school.

"We get children who experienced abuse, poverty and who have been infected or affected by HIV. Some go to comprehensive schools with practical subjects because they relate better to technical stuff."

Apart from the panelbeating programme, the 20-year-old Sparrow Rainbow Village offers modelling, dancing, debate and sports activities as part of their integration programme.

"Through this we give them a taste of what was taken away from them. Holistically we also focus on their emotional wellbeing," said Gxubane.

Owner of Leeson's, Filipe De Mendonca, said he has been in the business for over 30 years, training disadvantaged people.

"I never liked seeing people down and out and I cannot push them further into the gutter. There is no harm in giving anyone a chance."

The White Walls plan to grow the initiative by including girls and other youngsters from Soweto.

They hope to have a fully operational workshop in their neighbourhood in the next couple of years.

- monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Sun May 19 09:58:14 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 12, 2012

2shy2call

Clever boys, I do the same if I want worker who I don't have to pay them, I always say come I will train you and they do all the work.
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Oct 12, 2012

MommaC

Great initiative.
Not everyone in the world is an academic genius. A good solid trade behind you is worth 10 soft degrees. Best of luck to them all
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Oct 12, 2012

Tabza325is

The education system is not flexable enough to accomodate everybody, humans are interlligent beings, the defference in our intelligence is based on our talents, some people are intelligent with physical things, taking them apart and rebuilding and fixing them, they have a photographic way of absorbing information, shoe then how to take an engine apart and they will do it at first or second try, that genius of a defferent kind, some are theoratical, given them a book and they are able to arbsorb the same information about an engine and give them a test they pass it at first try, that's another kind of genius, untill the education systems is designed to reflect how diverse and flexable humans are and cater for our talents, education will continue to fail others in their society since at the moment it's designed to condition people for the coporate world and the University world of theories and endless calculations.
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Oct 12, 2012

eltybots

welconed initiative atleast something good reported ka SA
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Oct 12, 2012

FreddyG

This is nothing new, if they were to train, give them the skills and then finance(government) them in opening a autobody workshop which would have maybe 2-3 clients(insurance companies) for a start. Now that would be a great initiative!
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Oct 12, 2012

Papage

This is good This is were Govrnment must assist financially or give a bigger space, not putting bunch of old people together and give them R3m ans say, farm the land.
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Oct 12, 2012

MophemeKoPitori

These boys deserve a Bell's! Unlike bo bosso ba pretoria whom they ask for money from motorists or ni$$$as from park station who want money for asking directions!

Big-Up Dudes
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