Thabo Morudu won R50,000 for nominating Moses ‘Bra Moss’ Lehloka for the 1Life Life Changer award, but it’s not about the money or plaudits – it’s about what Bra Moss is doing for his community. Here’s Thabo’s rationale for nominating him:
“He is a mechanic in a Diepsloot and he teaches the kids who have mostly dropped out schools how to make a living out of their hands. He also pays school fees for other kids to further their studies, get them driver’s licenses, helps the needy – he's a very generous man.
“He's a giver and a very patient person especially when teaching people how to fix cars. He's a father to every kid in the township.”
Moses Lehloka is a man who is passionate about uplifting his community through actions that support the youth, mentorship and skills development for young people and his community. He runs his workshop working with a skilled team as well as young appretinces who are just looking for experience nd skills to be able to get employment. He has been active since the previous millennium, and residents in Diepsloot agree wholeheartedly on his mentorship and fatherly role in their community.
“He invited me to his workshop to teach me how to fix cars – we have been working together until this day,” one told us. “I had a minimum understanding of panel beating and I came here to get a better understanding of the trade – I got so good that I started my own workshop,” another revealed.
“Moses really helped my son,” a mother said. “He was unemployed and couldn’t find a job – Moses taught him how to panel beat.” Not only does Bra Moss focus his energies on teaching and imparting his own skills with his team. He is also an active member of the community knowing sometimes the personal needs of his workers and their families. “When I have nothing, he reaches out and offers me his help." says one employee.
Another Diepsloot resident was effusive: “What Moses is doing is extraordinary: he is alleviating our children from poverty. They can take care of themselves now.” The situation in Diepsloot can be dire, but Moss is a mentor.
In his own words: “My greatest joy is to achieve my goal of seeing youth off the streets. What brings me great joy is to see young women who are passionate about this industry. I believe young women are the future of this industry. Now it is time to give them what is rightfully theirs.”
Other pieces of praise for Moss include: “Patient… He does everything wholeheartedly.” “A father to us and a lot of other people in Diepsloot.” “He has upskilled us, and instead of loitering, we have something to do.”
In closing, Moss had the following to say: “Every child deserves a right to be parented.”
It's not often that such real and heartwarming stories are told to the masses. And thanks to 1Life, the DStv Mzansi Viwers Choice Awards provided a platform to celebrate such a deserving winner!