PODCAST: The Inspiring Boys in Blue
One South African police sergeant, fed up with
putting the same kids into the back of his police van every week, decided to
use his own passion to change many of their lives. If you want to be inspired,
and have your faith in humanity restored, take a listen to this story...
If you spend much time in Kayamandi, just outside Stellenbosch, the chances are you’ll bump into Sergeant Simphiwe "Charlie" Mgwetana in his police van.
He’s always on the beat - attending robberies, breaking up fights and trying to deal with the area’s overriding issue of domestic violence. It’s also Charlie’s job to deal with the boys who hang around the mall, smoking, drinking and pilfering.
Every week he’d put the same kids in the back of his van, take them to the station, see them leave – only to end up in the back of his van the next weekend.
So, six years ago, he decided to do something about it.
In Episode 6 of First Person, Marianne Thamm discovers how this remarkable man has used his own passion to change the lives of the desperate children around him.
For more extraordinary stories from Marianne, visit First Person's website.
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