The world community must know whats going on…
For over 20 years, I have dedicated myself to helping our youth escape the grips of drugs, gangsterism, and other negative influences through sports. Unfortunately, my work as a freelance reporter has often hindered my ability to secure funding for these vital initiatives.
Hopefield is fortunate to have companies with significant resources, yet it seems that those in charge are more focused on their own interests than on the needs of our community of around 7,000 residents. For example, while Kropz recently opened a new internet room with 20 computers, our local library, which already houses books and computers, struggles to serve the community effectively.
Our organization has been trying to obtain funds from Amoya for over three years, but we have yet to receive any support. We would even welcome a simple acknowledgment of our letters. Last year, I attended a meeting where Amoya representatives boasted about the millions of rands allocated to organizations in Hopefield. The most shocking revelation was the alleged bribes received by local sports clubs, which continue to charge entrance fees at their events.
It’s disheartening to see children walking to primary school, only to be greeted by smoke outside the school grounds. The same scene repeats itself in the afternoons, and it seems no one is concerned. Sports have become a luxury for our youth, leaving many bored and vulnerable to negative influences. The alarming rate of primary school dropouts only adds to our worries.
Our management team at West Coast Sports Solutions recently received an invitation to take children to 7’s rugby matches in Bellville. When the girls saw the post on social media, they expressed interest in forming a U/16 girls’ team. We reached out to Amoya and Kropz for funding for clothing for three teams, but while Kropz eventually responded about their computer donations, Johanna Stoffels’ company has yet to acknowledge our requests.
Recently, Ms. Stoffels, a director at Amoya, dismissed our contributions, suggesting that I would never succeed in her company simply because I had written critically about her. This personal response is disheartening but highlights a larger issue: the priorities of those in power appear misaligned with the struggles of our youth.My question is: Where do we draw the line? Our community’s young people are suffering, yet those in influential positions often prioritize personal grievances over the collective well-being of our youth.
I was paid as a reporter to write these stories..
I am sharing one of my articles about Ms. Stoffels from my time at a West Coast regional newspaper to illustrate this point. I can no longer remain silent while our children and young adults are caught in the crossfire of ego and indifference.
I urge you to consider the impact of our leaders’ actions on our community and advocate for a shift towards supporting our youth and their futures. Together, we can create a brighter path for our children and foster an environment where they can thrive.
Please help us keep the project alive:
