​Mohau Ntsane (37), the road to recovery has been long and painful, but today, he is living proof that addiction does not have to be the end of the road. Having battled drug abuse for over a decade, the Sebokeng Zone 14 resident now dedicates his life to helping others overcome addiction ― just as he did.

“I never thought I would ever be clean, let alone have a job,” Ntsane admits. “My addiction was terrible. I was deep into drugs for over ten years, and at 23, I nearly lost my life.”

Ntsane’s story is one of missed opportunities and painful lessons. Growing up, he had what many would consider a stable life, his father was a policeman, his mother a nurse, and they provided him and his sister with everything they needed. However, in 1997, tragedy struck when his father passed away. Despite this, his mother ensured they continued to live a comfortable life.

“I had no reason to use drugs,” Ntsane reflects. “This is proof that addiction knows no race, background, class or status, it can affect anyone.”

Although he was never the top student in school, he performed well academically and had a promising football career. At one point, he even attended trials for Orlando Pirates, where he impressed the coaches. However, his dreams were shattered when he was told he could not be selected due to his involvement with dagga.

“That moment crushed me,” he recalls. “I regretted messing up the opportunity of a lifetime. Instead of fixing things, I spiralled further into addiction. I stopped caring.”

As peer pressure and the need to belong took over, Ntsane moved from smoking cigarettes to dagga, then alcohol, and eventually harder substances like heroin and rock. His drug use led to dropping out of school, failing to complete his motor mechanic course at Sedibeng College, and even stealing from his own family to support his addiction.

Despite his downward spiral, one person never gave up on him ― his mother. She repeatedly encouraged him to seek help, even as he relapsed multiple times.