Mthatha activist provides lifeline to vulnerable girls
Concerned by teenage pregnancy rates and harrowing tales of young girls falling victim to rape and abuse, often at the hands of family members, a young Mthatha journalist is doing what he can to change the situation.
Hoseya Jubase, 28, a freelancer and news anchor at Mthatha’s UCR FM, has established the Jubase Youth Academy, which boasts a girls’ soccer team and classes in drama and poetry.
The academy was officially registered in 2019, and the soccer side was registered to compete in the Safa OR Tambo Women’s League earlier in 2020. He pays for players to attend training and helps aspiring young actors to go for auditions.
Jubase said most of the footballers live in informal settlements around Mthatha, some in Zimbane valley in greater Mthatha, and others come from as far afield as Gxulu village in Libode, about 15km away.
His academy provides a positive alternative to the stressful and abusive home situations many young girls find themselves in.
The programmes ’ main objectives are empowering young people to find alternatives to a life of alcohol and drug abuse and preventing girls from falling pregnant.
“We have so much talent here in the OR Tambo district, especially if you go into rural areas,” he said.
“But if you go to the homes in our district and speak one-onone with young girls, many of them will tell you they have been abused. Some have been raped by people close to them. They go through so many difficulties.”
He said the academy was designed to ensure their time was spent productively, especially after school.
Jubase said some of his young soccer proteges had been dabbling in dagga, but had kicked the habit to focus on developing their football talents instead.
However, with no financial assistance, he is having to dig deep into his own pockets for things like training equipment and soccer kit.
“What we need now is training equipment. I save what I can to buy what is needed.”
One of the academy members, Grade 10 pupil Inganathi Gaya, who got her acting break in the short film KwaNomagazi, written and directed by gospel artist Yongama Mrwetyana, described Jubase as friendly but also a disciplinarian, someone who wants things to be done properly.
Before joining in 2019, she and some of her friends had started their own acting group. Jubase saw them performing in one of the informal settlements in Mthatha West and liked what he saw.
“I have become better at acting since joining the academy. He has taught me the value of being patient, even when things are not working in your favour,” she said.
I have become better at acting since joining the academy. He has taught me the value of being patient, even when things are not working in your favour