A Hero Without A Cape

In a fictitious plot, there is always a hero who is the protector of the innocent, and defender of the weak. That hero sets standards for him or herself that communities can look up to. “A hero is a character who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage or the will for self-sacrifice, for the greater good of humanity.

A hero without a cape: Bongani Mnisi

A hero is not only fictitious. There are real life hero’s amongst us. One such hero comes in the form of Bongani Mnisi. Born 9^th November, 1986. From his high school days, Bongani has displayed heroism amongst his community. He has been involved in ambitious projects which all had a criteria of “creating a clean, safe and better community”.

In a neighbourhood plagued with underage drinking, teenage pregnancy, High school dropouts and extensive drug use and gambling. Few teenagers are able to resist the temptations of the plague and make something of themselves. The majority fall victim to the plague that has devastated Bongani’s neighbourhood for decades. However, Thanks to Bongani’s heroic acts, the majority has now been turned into the minority.

One of Bongani’s ambitious projects, is the long running “Lesedi Gospel House” (LGH). Started in 2007. LGH is a choir formed with the criteria of “creating a clean, safe and better community”. Bongani uses the choir to recruit troubled teenagers and grooms them to not only become performers but future leaders of tomorrow. Since LGH was started. It has produced over twenty matric graduates. Some of them having dropped out of school before matric only to be convinced and motivated by the local hero himself. Bongani is also responsible for helping some of his recruits find jobs while he himself remains unemployed. A true reflection of a person who puts others ahead of himself.

Bongani is truly the unsung hero we never hear, or read about. He would like to see LGH reaching heavenly heights with the hope of changing the lives of troubled youths. May the good Lord bless him and LGH. I mean it’s not every day you get to meet a hero.