My Story of Appreciation and Motivation for the Youth
It’s Festive, and I feel very positive, and my message to you is…….
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. This simple truth has guided me throughout my life, and I want to share my story to inspire young people to dream big and never give up.
In 2016, I was a VIP guest at the luxurious 5-star Bonn Hotel in Shelley Point. I was one of 12 people invited for having my own online newspaper at the time. It was an unforgettable experience. Although the hotel tragically burned down in 2024, the memories of that incredible moment remain with me.
During that period, I was also part of Cape Coast Youth, a youth group I had founded to uplift and inspire young people in Hopefield. Thanks to the success of the group and my role as its founder, young people from our community were invited to attend a training course at the hotel. Some seized the opportunity, and today, they hold top positions in various professions. I know this to be true because two of the ladies personally thanked me for the opportunity I created for them.
A opportunity i will always remember
This experience motivates me to start afresh with an online platform in 2025. My love for freelance writing, which I’ve been doing for over 30 years, drives me to live my passion and create opportunities for others.
However, this journey didn’t come easy. I owe much of my success to Ms. Mercia Morkel, editor of Die Burger – Ekstra, who gave me a life-changing opportunity in 1993. At the time, I worked as a bricklayer in Mitchells Plain, but I loved taking photos and telling stories. One day, I sent a story with photos to the newspaper about a trip with two friends and some children along the Salt River. To my surprise, I received a letter inviting me to meet Ms. Morkel.
When I met her, I confessed that I had left school at 14 and could barely write my name properly. Yet, she gave me the best advice anyone could ever give: “Read, read, read. Pick up papers, cans, and bottles lying around. There’s always a story.” Back then, there was no internet, so she even gave me a toll-free number to call in my stories.
With her encouragement, I began to believe in myself and embrace my God-given talent. Despite my limited schooling, I succeeded because of hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn.
By the age of 19, I was already a qualified bricklayer and plasterer. Over the years, I’ve become one of the best craftsmen in Hopefield, working as a foreman on major construction projects across the Cape Peninsula and West Coast.
Looking back, I realize that anything in life is possible if you believe in yourself. Respect others, give credit where it’s due, and blessings will come your way.
To the young people reading this, let my story be proof that your past does not define your future. You are capable of achieving greatness, no matter where you come from or what challenges you face.
Believe in yourself. Work hard. Respect others. And never stop dreaming. The world is full of opportunities waiting for you to seize them.
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