Joshua Dladla (10) bravely took a microphone during the launch of the Future Camps Programme at Encotsheni Primary School in Khayelitsha and shocked everyone in the hall when he told his story of being an alcoholic who is also into smoking and stealing.

The programme was launched by Umthombo Woluntu Development Excellence (UWDE) last Wednesday.

Dladla said: “I started smoking paper with my friends when I was eight years old. I was a criminal stealing people’s money at school and at home. I was drinking alcohol and going home at night. I was beaten up at home, but I did not stop. I came late at school and when the teachers asked me where I had been, I did not have an answer. I was called to Emthonjeni where they told me about the danger of smoking and of alcohol. I saw that it was not good for me, and then I quit. Now I do not drink and smoke. I am a good child.”

When he was asked about his feeling, he said: Seyavaleka leyandawo. (He does not feel like doing it again.)

Future Champs is a youth and children’s programme started by Umthombo Woluntu in collaboration with primary and secondary schools last year.

It is aimed at reducing the scourge of substance abuse and increasing the levels of literacy among children. The programme utilises sport, educational games, life skills, research tasks and reading sessions to prepare children for a better future.

Khangelani Rawuza, MD for UWDE said: “The programme has born the fruits. Now we have more than 5 200 children in primary schools and more than 7 400 learners in high schools in different projects. It is going to be a solution to drugs and the shortage of skills. It is also going to have an indirect impact on lowering the levels of crime.”

The programmes are funded by the Department of Social Development and Leareus Sport for Good Foundation. UWDE requires more funding to ensure that more children and young people benefit from the Future Champs Programme.

Yangani Ngalonkulu, the school principal talking about the launch said: “We feel very great about the launch. We worked with them since last year in many activities like rugby, soccer, netball and reading projects. They also teach about HIV in school. There are lots of things we benefit as a school from them.”

Phumza Ngudle, for the school governing body said: “The programme is helpful, because it develops the learners in sports.

“The youth participating in sport are far away from crime, because it always keeps them busy. We love it.”