This Tembisa Man Wants To Help Others Who Are Battling with Addiction

Having battled substance abuse for years, Thato Matome is now two years into his recovery and is using his experiences to improve his community.

Matome (43) is one of the co-founders of the Tembisa Drug Rehabilitation Movement, located in the northeast of Johannesburg.

“My goal is to give hope to my fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering from drug addiction,” he shared this with News24.

Matome battled methamphetamine and cocaine addiction for over a decade.

“I sought sobriety in 2022 by going to rehab. Upon my return, I visited every drug den to support my brothers who were battling addiction. He said, “I knew their suffering because I experienced it myself.

Matome began the movement in August after being released from a rehabilitation facility in Pretoria in February.

“The goal is to raise awareness of the risks associated with substance abuse and influence our brethren to change.”

He doesn’t position his organisation as a rehabilitation centre. Rather, Matome utilises it as a place to beg others who suffer from substance use disorders to get themselves into recovery.

Every Tuesday, Matome and his mother, Evelyn, conduct therapy sessions at Tembisa’s St. Eli Apostolic Mission Church.

Here, he offers guests a safe area to talk about their issues while also sharing cautionary tales. He assists individuals in registering for rehabilitation centres if they agree.

At the conclusion of each session, they are also given a hot lunch, which is either provided by Matome and his mother or through donations.

“I want to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome drugs. Additionally, the father of three urged, “spread the word about the dangers of substance abuse.”

Source: https://www.news24.com/news24/video/southafrica/news/watch-a-former-tembisa-drug-addict-sets-up-recovery-centre-helping-others-in-his-community-20250101

Editor’s note: This man sought sobriety in 2022 by going to rehab after struggling with drug addiction. Today, a sober man, he uses his time and resources to help other people who are battling drug addiction to get clean.

Description: Thato Matome has been in recovery for two years after battling substance abuse for years, and he is utilising his experiences to better his community.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA