While his peers are mostly concerned about sports and TV games, 13-year-old Simangaliso Ntoni dedicates his time to helping less fortunate children.
Simangaliso is a beacon of hope for his NU9 community in Mdantsane with his outreach organisation, Positive Force for the Future, established last year.
Simangaliso said his love for humanitarian work began years ago as he grew up helping children in his neighbourhood.
The Khulani High School Grade 9 pupil told sister newspaper Daily Dispatch yesterday that his big moment came last year when he was invited to Hamilton Sports Club with 35 other kids from his community, and they came back home with food and clothes.
“I decided to start the organisation after this visit because that’s when I realised that some kids didn’t have food or clothes. Some didn’t have anything at all and I also saw that some came from child-headed households.
“This organisation is a response to that need.”
Positive Force for the Future hosts fun days for children.
With the help of members from his church, International Faith Temple, Simangaliso hosted an event for more than 300 kids in May. Through donations, he was also able to give out gift boxes and food parcels to all the children who attended.
There were also motivational speakers who encouraged the children to choose positive living from an early age.
Simangaliso, who lives with his grandmother and older sister, said he loved bringing children together for afterschool studies and other activities to keep them busy and off the streets.
“Positive Force for the Future is faith-based because I believe that what will help them [the children] is to know the Lord and his laws.
“This is also what will keep them away from negative influences.”
He said he loved spending his days at church, where he reads the Bible and teaches other children about God.
He would love to be a scientist when he grows up because he believes “there’s a lot you can do with science in the world”.
The young man is also a motivational speaker and is often invited to speak at events aimed at touching young lives.
Simangaliso says although he does not have a lot either, he loves bringing joy to those in need because he believes sharing is caring.
“I would love to see my organisation growing and reaching more children, not just those in my community.
“I would love to impact the life of every young person in East London.”
