Keano Kammies steals show by playing his part
Comics inspire pupils to be the change in their communities
“People are always focusing on the gangsterism in Helenvale and they overlook the untapped potential in the children as young as 10.
“But not me, I will be that beacon of hope.”
A passionate Keano Kammies stole the show when he stood up to share the part he played in his community in the “Play Your Part” activation by Brand SA, where the Goliath and Goliath comedic trio came to motivate matrics at Hillside High School on Tuesday.
More than 250 matrics from Hillside High and Bethelsdorp Comprehensive High School were part of the activation.
Play Your Part is a nationwide movement that aims to empower and celebrate active citizenship by inspiring all South Africans to contribute to positive change within their communities.
Kammies, 21, who was the crowd favourite and proved to have a big following at his school, had the Goliath and Goliath members hanging on his every word when he told them that he was a true example of not letting your community determine your future.“I looked around my community in Helenvale – many people call it Katanga – and I saw small children who are nine and 12 years old handling guns, and I told myself this is not life, and I will take that responsibility to be a good example for these kids,” Kammies said.“I don’t have parents, I have never touched a gun nor owned a knife.“All I have is my jukebox and dance moves.”Kammies said that one day he had decided to walk down the street with his mobile speaker and started dancing.“After a while, I looked back and saw children following me.“I started doing it more often, until one day the following got big enough for me to start a society and give dancing lessons to children to keep them off the streets.“I could have become a gangster a long time ago. But I chose to enrich myself.”Kammies said his role did not end there – he also motivated the young boys and girls.He said it was difficult to see the light in an area where there was no motivation, but because of the belief he had in himself and the potential he saw in others, he knew he had to not only stand against the odds, but beat them.“I live by the saying, ‘be the best that you can be’.“I will not allow the gangsterism to limit me. No one will shoot me down because I am under the protection of the Lord God,” Kammies said to a standing ovation.Donovan Goliath said: “We have been to so many schools around the country but there is just something about the energy in this school.“You guys are natural leaders, the likes of Keano, and everyone else who shared a story.“Keep the momentum going – Play Your Part does not end today – this is where it starts, keep passing on the baton and grow the communities.”The Goliaths said they would stay in touch with the school as their own personal initiative because they could see great potential.Hillside High principal Nythil Paulsen said he had been very happy when Brand SA said they would be coming to the school.He said he had seen Kammies grow from being a troubled teenager to a dedicated young man.“What Brand SA and the Goliath guys did here today is something I have been drilling into my pupils,” he said.“Nothing in life is for free, you need to stand up and do things for yourself.“My message to my pupils is that you need to fetch [your dreams].”
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