16 Oct 2024

Learners at Metsiatsile Student Residence in Block 6 heard from a recovered drug addict, Mr Thapelo ‘Dizo’ Walebowa, about struggles of recovering from drug abuse.

The session was facilitated by Metsiatsile Student Residence, in an effort to engage, enlighten and share stories of drug abuse with learners.

Mr Walebowa’s struggle with drugs linked back to his parents’ divorce, as it happened when he was still young and did not know how to handle the separation of his parents. As a result of not knowing how to deal with his parents’ divorce, Mr Walebowa said he sought refuge from friends and ended making bad decisions, when he started smoking and drinking.

Speaking to pupils of Metsiatsile, he cautioned them against social media content; saying it is also one of the factors that led to his substance addiction.

The make believe television, social media lifestyle are all things that were alluring for him and he could not resist it, as he started living it ‘the hip hop music video facade’ which always comes as fun and normal to consumers.

 He, therefore, urged learners to be cautious of what they consume from social media and television, as those could be factors that could eventually contribute to drug and substance abuse and resulting in addiction for them.

Mr Walebowa’s struggle did not only end with alcohol and mild smoking, but it escalated to the use of weed, and spiraled to hardcore drugs. This, he said, happened while at senior secondary school.

“I would find myself going out of my way to go and find new drugs on the market such as ‘cat’ and after taking a line, I would always feel good,” he stated.

 He said drugs are nice, but, however, emphasised that they are nice until they destroy one’s life.

“Anything that is nice has dire effects, if you sleep or watch television all day as a student and not do or put effort in your work, you will fail, similarly with drugs they are nice but you get addicted in the end,” Waleboa emphasised and warned students to refrain from drug intake.

He urged them to not start if they have not started yet, and offered support and assistance to anyone who might have started. Prayer, Mr Walebowa said, is what helped him take control of his life as he started visiting church.

He said the more he went to church and received the word, the more he got used to the sermons and it eventually became what he thought of every day and each moment of his life then.

“I needed something positive to keep me busy. Of course I did not feel anything happening to change me the first time I visited church and I stepped forward to be prayed for. But, with constant and consistent visits to church to receive the word and encouragement, I got used to something positive and was able to slowly get away from the life of drugs,” he said.

Therefore, he encouraged and urged students to find something meaningful, particularly their books, in order to fight any influence or pressure to start indulging in drugs and substance.

 And, seven years later Mr Walebowa is celebrating sobriety and he is now a motivational speaker mostly inspiring students as he shares his journey.

Meanwhile, SKY Girls magazine writer and also an artist, Tutsirae ‘Raii’ Sithole, also gave Metsiatsile pupils words of inspiration as she encouraged them to always be true to themselves, saying that way they will be able to realise their goals and dreams, without any outside pressure. Metsiatsile Students Residence is a privately owned boarding facility in Gaborone for both primary and secondary school students, established in 2021.  ENDS