The life of a nyaope addict. Part one: A life worse than a jail sentence - Scrolla Africa

Thursday 25 March
                                              2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

The life of a nyaope addict. Part one: A
life worse than a jail sentence
Everson Luhanga

Philip and his friends gather under a tree to feed their habit.
Together, they smoke nyaope - a mix of zol, a sharp cigarette
and white powder rolled into a joint.

Most addicts smoke nyaope, but others mix it with water and
inject it directly into the bloodstream. (on the video).

The drug is dangerous, both physically and mentally. It has
wrecked many families. Many young people, barely alive, have
given up on life.

And Philip is one of the many young South Africans who have
smoked their lives away.

Philip Raphiri from Alexandra, Johannesburg got into drugs at
the age of 11, and it has been a 24-year journey of pain, torture
and hopelessness.

Now aged 35, his home is broken and he sleeps in the bushes.
He has no future plans. (See part 2)

Philip is pleading for help to quit drugs.

He said being a drug user for the past 24 years has been worse
than being sentenced to life imprisonment.

His fingers black and dry, the skin cracked, he speaks in a deep
voice, laced with drugs and regrets.

The only crime he committed, he says, was being poor and
unable to afford the life that got him into drugs.

The visibly tired and weak Philip had this story to tell

“I am the firstborn with three siblings who looked up to me to
put food on the table. My mother has always been
unemployed. She was asking me for money before I was 10,” he
said.

He dropped out of school because there was no money to
support his academic life. There was no money.

“I am uneducated. I have never worked. But still, I had the
pressure to feed my family,” he said.

“I dropped out of school in Grade six because of the pressure to
find money and food to take home.”

Philip slipped into pity crime.

“I had to phanda (hustle) for me and my family,” he said

“I started hanging around street corners and robbed people of
their cell phones and other belongings. I started finding money.
It was nice. It seemed right.”

But while spending time with his friends, thinking about their
next victim, he started smoking drugs.

“The first smoke was followed by another and then by a joint.
The habit grew. Now I’m at the point where I am trapped. I’m
controlled by my cravings to keep smoking.”

He said he has taken different kinds of drugs, including dagga,
tik, cocaine and ecstasy.

“But with no money for expensive drugs, I have stayed with
nyaope. It is cheap and always available. By the time I turned
12, I was already an addict,” he said.

Then he reached a stage where it was only about him and his
cravings.

“I forgot about helping my family. I abandoned everyone so
that they also had to phanda for their food and to stay alive,”
he said.

“I used all the money I got to buy drugs.”

He left home and started sleeping under trees, bridges and
other dangerous places.

“Come rain, sunshine or freezing cold, I am out there with my
dirty and smelly blankets. I don’t remember the last time I had
a bath,” he said.

“It has been the life that I didn’t want to live but it happened
that way. Poverty forced me into the cold streets of
Johannesburg,” he said.

The life of a nyaope addict. Part two: A
family in despair
Everson Luhanga

                  At the family home of Philip Raphiri in Alexandra,
                  Johannesburg, the smell of poverty, hunger and
                  despair hangs in the air.

On a visit to see where Philip comes from and speak to his
family, the Scrolla.Africa team found his sister, Esther Raphiri at
the house. Philip’s mother had gone out to phanda for food.

The single-roomed brick house with one small window, serves
the family as a bedroom, bathroom, dining room, kitchen and
lounge.

There is no evidence of the rats that are found in almost all of
Alexandra’s homes. The giant rodents have clearly stopped
visiting Philip’s home as there is nothing for them to eat.

Esther, the 31-year-old mother of three children, agreed to
speak to the Scrolla.Africa team.

“Drugs have destroyed our family,” she said.

“Two of my brothers were both drug addicts from a very young
age. One of our brothers, Thema Raphiri died in December
when he was hit by a speeding car while running away from
Metro Cops.”

She said both her brothers have been arrested several times by
the police for either dealing in drugs or stealing.

“Thema started using drugs at the age of 13. He dropped out of
school in Grade four and went into drugs. Philip, our older
brother, dropped out of school in Grade six. Things were so bad
that even my mother asked for money from my brothers,” she
said.

“We all knew they were robbing and terrorising innocent
people ekasi, but we welcomed them with whatever they
brought into the house. That was the only way we could go to
bed with food in our stomachs.”

Esther said she survives on her children’s grants.

“Sometimes I fix people’s hair and let them pay me. But during
lockdown level five, things were bad as people were not
allowed to move. I had to rely on my children’s grant money,”
she said.

The life of a nyaope addict. Part three:
The social workers, the drug dealer and
the escalation of the scourge
Everson Luhanga

It has always been a part of the South African
landscape, but idleness, boredom, and the
uncertainty of the future during lockdown has
resulted in the skyrocketing of domestic violence and crime.

Drug and substance abuse, too, has escalated dramatically as
young people have resorted to using drugs.

Officials at the South African National Council on Alcoholism
and Drug Dependence (Sanca) centre in Alexandra said they

struggle with a huge backlog of drug users and refer them for
placement in other rehabilitation centres.

Social workers Ziyanda Fambaza and Lizzy Dikgale spoke
exclusively to Scrolla.Africa at their office.

Ziyanda said soon after the country eased to lockdown level
three after the tough level five, they experienced an influx of
new drug users especially teenagers and young men.

“People were depressed. They had nothing to do and they were
bored. They connected with people they were communicating
with before lockdown. This resulted in many people using
drugs,” she said.

Lizzy said officials were afraid to work with people they don’t
know because of Covid-19.

“Rehab centres were not taking the addicts as it did before
lockdown,” she said.

“This created a huge backlog that we don’t know how to deal
with.”

Spokeswoman for the Gauteng Department of Social
Development, Feziwe Ndwayana said the department is aware
that the scourge of drug and substance abuse is escalating. She
said they fight this through drug and substance abuse
prevention programmes.

“Drug and substance abuse can disrupt the brain function in
critical areas that affect motivation, memory, learning,
judgement, and behaviour,” said Feziwe.

“Teenagers who abuse alcohol and other drugs often have
family and school problems that result in poor academic
performance and health-related problems. They may often be
involved in criminal activities to finance their habit.”

Out on the streets of Alex, a man selling drugs, (see video) said
he has been under pressure since the middle of last year to
supply many new customers with drugs.

“At first, I used to go home with R2,000. But since last winter I
have been going home with anything from R2,500 to R3,500,”
he told Scrolla.Africa, speaking under conditions of anonymity.

He said he has also opened other outlets in different townships
and they share merchandise.

“We get our stock in the Johannesburg and Pretoria inner
cities,” he said.

The 36-year-old man, who doesn’t smoke, said he knows that
drugs are dangerous and are destroying people’s lives.

“But as for me, I’m just happy that I was lucky enough to get a
job,” he said.

I wasn’t working so when someone offered me the work of
selling drugs for him, I took the opportunity.”

Nyaope is a highly addictive drug that is a mixture of heroin and
dagga and a mixture of other ingredients. It is usually sold in
tiny brown or black packets from R25 a packet. It is also mixed
with water and injected into the bloodstream.

The drug has many different names depending on the area
where it is found. In Durban, KZN it is commonly referred to as
‘sugars’. It is called ‘whoonga’ in the Western Cape, ‘pinch’ in
Mpumalanga and ‘nyaope’ in Gauteng.

Fix and work husband Forbes to split
Dylan Bettencourt

After nine years as a duo, the popular radio show hosts Rob
Forbes and ‘Fix’ Moeti are leaving 5FM.

Forbes who began at 5FM in 2012 said in a social media
statement that he has been thinking about leaving since the
beginning of 2020.

The statement titled ‘Saying goodbye to The Forbes and Fix
show’ said it was a goal he had set for himself to have a
daytime radio show on 5FM.

He said it was a goal realised but after more than 7,000 hours,
it was time to put a fullstop on the final broadcast. He said this
has been the plan, in consultation with 5FM management,
since early 2020.

“Broadcasting through lockdown has been one of the most
interesting years we have had and I am happy we were able to
be a part of it,” he said.

Forbes said he was retiring from radio completely, saying he
was excited to finally be able do the things he has planned.

Also using social media, Fix Moeti wrote that after 2,432 shows
it was time to drop the mic.

“My radio DJ career started at 5FM in 2008 with a show called
the Best Of 5. Later pitching and getting the Friday Night Fix
Dance Show and a Tuesday Night Pop Show.”

She said she left to explore her options in America and when
she came back, the Forbes and Fix show was brought to life.

She thanked her ‘work husband’ Rob Forbes. She encouraged
women in radio to keep pursuing their dreams despite how
difficult it may get.

Picture source: @News24

The giant Ecuadorian worm that eats
dogs is real!
Arthur Greene

In 2014, reports came through that a giant
earthworm measuring up to 1,5 metres was
discovered in the Ecuadorian rainforest.

Since then, rumours have circulated in the darkest recesses of
the internet that the fearsome beast, the stuff of legend,
actually exists.

We’re here to report that the worm, the so-called Kraken of the
Amazons, is in fact real.

In 2014, an unnamed man posted the above picture to an
online forum called Project Noah asking for identification. The
same person later commented, “The U of Iowa and Universidad
Catolica (Quito) are collaborating on a study of these giant
Sumaco earthworms.”

The picture was taken in the foothills of the Sumaco Volcano in
Ecuador.

Soon after it was uploaded, however, the picture was removed
and it was attributed with various fake origins.

After being posted on Facebook by a user in 2020, someone
commented, “While interesting, can you not see that it’s fake?”

The South American giant earthworm is in fact real, and was
confirmed as such in 2014.

The invertebrate’s Latin name is Martiodrilus crassus, which
translates to "worm which feeds on dogs and small children."

While the formidable beast is unlikely to actually eat children or
dogs it reportedly gets through a sizable quantity of
underground fungi a day.

Picture source: hoppy4840

Burna Boy drops collaboration with
Justin Bieber
              After stealing the show at the Grammys earlier
              this month, Afrobeats giant Burna Boy has taken
              the limelight once again after the release of his
and Justin Bieber’s first collaboration, Loved by You.

The guitar-led love song features on Bieber’s new album,
Justice, which dropped last Friday.

Nigeria-based Burna Boy is one of many stars to make a guest
appearance on the project.

Other artists include Chance the Rapper, Khalid, Daniel Caesar
and Giveon.

At this year’s Grammy Awards, Burna Boy took home the prize
for the Best Global Music Album for the 2020’s, Twice As Tall.

In Loved by You, Burna Boy takes over on the second verse,
ramping up Bieber’s softer style while still maintaining the
heartfelt tone of the track.

It’s safe to say that the artist, who hails from Port Harcourt,
once again steals the show in this song as he does in so many
others.

No matter how big the artist, Burna Boy always seems to be
able to go toe-to-toe with them, whatever the genre.

Picture source: @burnaboy

Bafana make final preparations for
Black Stars
Menzi Magubane

Bafana Bafana are putting the final touches on
their preparations as they get ready to play
Ghana at FNB Stadium at 6pm on Thursday in
their Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier.

Midfielder Bongani Zungu will miss the match due to Scottish
travel restrictions. His team, Rangers did not release him after
FIFA allowed clubs to refuse to release players for national
team call-ups.

"I won’t be able to travel to South Africa to represent my
country. I wish the boys the best of luck," said Zungu on his
Twitter page.

The good news is that Zungu, the former Mamelodi Sundowns
man will be available for the last Group C match against Sudan
in Khartoum on Sunday.

“Zungu is confirmed,” said Bafana team doctor Thulani
Ngwenya.

He said Thulani Serero and Dean Furman are also confirmed.

Speaking to TimesLive about Keagan Dolly, Ngwenya said: “We
are still hoping and there are negotiations happening.”

Ngwenya said they will try to get the French authorities to
release the Montpellier winger for the game in Khartoum.

Bafana are not the only team that has suffered from the FIFA
ruling. Ghana will also be without their overseas based players.

Notable names that will be absent for them are captain Andre
Ayew of Swansea City and his brother Jordan of Crystal Palace.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is also unavailable against
Bafana.

Bafana last played the Black Stars in November 2019 in the first
leg of the group in Ghana.

Ghana won that match 2-0 and Bafana would love to avenge
themselves on Thursday and go to the top of the group and be
a step closer to qualifying for Cameroon next year.

Picture source: @paybet

Under 23s gear up for the Olympics
Menzi Magubane

The current FIFA break will not only see Bafana Bafana battle
for their chance to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in
Cameroon next year, but it also gives South African Under 23
coach David Notoane an opportunity to have his lads in a camp.

Notoane selected 24 local based players for a special camp in
Durban to prepare for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in July and
August.

"We would have loved to have our overseas-based players but
that was hindered by Covid-19 regulations,” said Notoane.

“The aim of this camp is to bring the local group together and
assess them, especially those who are new in the set-up. We
also want to sort out our centre back position and make sure
that when the time comes for selection we are ready."

The camp will last a week and the players will get an
opportunity to get a run in practice matches.

Notoane has called up experienced players who are regulars in
their DStv Premiership teams. This includes Sifiso Mlungwana
(Golden Arrows), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana) and
Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City).

There are also Goodman Mosele (Baroka FC), Kamohelo Abel
Mahlatsi (Moroka Swallows), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport
United), Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Happy Mashiane (both from
Kaizer Chiefs), Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City), Evidence
Makgopa (Baroka) were also called up.

Notoane is expected to organise further camps and competitive
friendly matches before they leave for Japan in June. Overseas
based players will be available for section as the tournament
takes place during an off-season.

Picture source: Bussiness Day

Ronaldo still ready to give his all says
coach
Dylan Bettencourt

                Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo will not
                be affected by criticism of his recent
                performances for Juventus.

This is according to the Portugal coach Fernando Santos who
said the striker is ready to give his all in the team’s upcoming
World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldo has been lashed by fans and pundits alike after their
recent Champions League exit at the hands of Porto.

A 1-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Benevento on Sunday added
to Juventus' miseries this season.

“When Cristiano is with the national team, he always comes
with the same vision, passion, will and joy,” Santos said.
“I don’t think he has any problems in terms of his mental
strength at the moment.”

Santos said he would be happy to give advice to Ronaldo who
has been linked with a return to his former side Real Madrid,
but he will give him the advice personally.

Santos said: “I was his head coach when he was 18. We have a
close relationship.”

Ronaldo will be hoping he can beat Ali Daei’s record of 109
goals for their national side. He is just eight goals away from
beating that record which is surely motivating the 36-year-old
ahead of Portugal’s three World Cup qualifiers.

Picture source: @Goal