WAVES OF HOPE
“A father’s goodness is higher than the mountains and a mother’s love is deeper than the sea” is an old adage that just did not ring true for Sihle. Despite sky diving in the goodness of his dad, and swimming in his mommy’s love, it just was not enough for the Soweto born Sihle Meyiwa. The 28-year old said he grew up enjoying a blissful life but still fell into the trap of gangsterism and substance abuse, especially after his parents died. “Life at home was perfect when my parents were still alive. But then the mat was suddenly pulled from under my feet. Without a father life became turmoil. I joined a gang in Soweto and was introduced to Nyaope. Thus, dropping out of school was a natural progression of events. I engaged in all manner of atrocities and this type of lifestyle led me on the street,” he said. Nyaope is a mixture of heroine, dagga and other substances like rat poison, washing powder, pool cleaner, baby powder and bicarbonate of soda. Experts say that people who use...