Albert Matthews, a former Kensington High School learner, devotes his time to plough back into his community by encouraging young people to not allow their circumstances to define their destiny.
Matthews’ life took a turn for the worse 19 years ago when he decided to drop out of school during his final year.
He was soon caught up in a life of gangsterism and drugs.
“I grew up on 10th Avenue, my dad was a drug addict and my mom an alcoholic. My brothers were into drugs and gangsterism, so I never had a role model (in my) family.”
He explains that his turning point came when his friend was shot and killed in front of him.
“My friend was shot 14 times in front of me. A few days after that, we had a memorial service for him. A few days after that another friend was killed. I moved to Hanover Park and that is where I started making a change in my life.”
Healthy communities
Fast-forward to today, Matthews works as a team leader for a community service organisation called Nacosa, which aims to build strong, equal and healthy communities free from the burden of HIV/ Aids, TB and gender-based violence (GBV).
Matthews says: “At Nacosa we are implementing GBV prevention interventions in multiple schools and communities across Cape Town. This is done via the provision of package of services known as the DREAMS primary package. We have the No Means No Women’s programme where young women are taught how to defend themselves in dangerous situations that may lead to them falling victim to sexual assault.
“The No Means No Men’s programme is where we teach men and boys about gender roles, gender myths and stereotype, and consent. We also share sexual reproductive health information.”
This year Matthews celebrates 16 years free of drugs and gangsterism and through the organisation he now motivates learners to make the right choices.
He explains that he always envisioned ploughing back into the school.
“I always had this desire to come and give back to the school and come and empower the learners. I have conversations with learners, and I share my life story with them of how my bad decisions have taken me nowhere.”
The married father of two says he always had a passion for young people.
“I have a passion to develop young people. I tell them not to go down that same road I have been down. Young people must know they have a purpose. And as young people we miss living out our purpose and we just seem to exist, but my main message to young people is, find your purpose and walk in it, once you walk in your purpose you will see that you have a fulfilled life.”
Matthews says the current principal at Kensington High School always believed in him.
“Mrs Manuels was my grade head at the time, and she was always the one advocating for me, she saw the Albert that I am today. I want to thank her for never giving up on me and for seeing the good inside of me.”
An inspiration
Hazel Manuels, principal at the school, says she always knew Matthews was destined for success.
“I was his Afrikaans educator at the time when he left school. With Albert I saw the potential, he was a very clever and outstanding boy. I immediately saw that if this boy applied himself, he could go far in life. But then he made the wrong choices, but luckily, he had a second chance.”
Manuels says Matthews’ life story serves as an inspiration to other learners.
“He came back to the school and did some motivation for our matriculants a year ago. I am very proud to see him plough back. I am proud to see the man he has become, he is an upright man in society, he is an example and a role model.
“I want him to return and speak to our matriculants again because he is one of our success stories that irrespective of the mistakes he made, he came back and the Lord changed his life. Now he is a role model for many. As educators we plough a lot into children’s lives, thousands of children go through our hands and only a few come back to say thank you.”
Manuels believes the No Means No programme is beneficial to the school.
“The programme is a benefit to the school making the learners aware about their rights, empowering them and giving them skills on how to protect themselves, because a lot of our learners also fall prey to sexual predators.”
Manuels says Matthews will also be providing information sessions to teachers at the school.
Should be equal
People’s Post spoke to a few Grade 11 learners who say they feel empowered by the programme.
Armien Dawood says: “I will try to treat women more equally. I will not be aggressive towards women.”
Randi Greenwood says men and women should be equal and be treated the same.
“These kinds of conversations are important because it teaches young males to respect females and it teaches females to respect males and treat each other equally and not overstep.”
Adrienne Armenville says: “What stood out for me is that they inspired me to be different. They gave us so much insight on rape and gender-based violence. I think these conversations are important because there are children going through things and they don’t speak about it and bottle it up and then take it out on the wrong people. That could lead them to doing things that they will regret.”
Matthews encourages young people to not allow their circumstances to define them.
“The only thing that is going to allow us to make the change and be the change is a decision that you need to make. People cannot take the power of choice away from you. Wake up every morning saying to yourself, I am going to be the best version of myself.”
