From recovering drug addicts to aspiring philanthropists
Young recovering drug addict Keagan Swarts (24), from Klippoortjie, is an aspiring entrepreneur and philanthropist, striving to assist those in need where possible.
On September 7, Swarts and his business partner, Tino Tamira (26), who’s also a recovering drug addict, did their first good deed for the community.
Not only did the duo collect plastic bottles for the waste pickers in Klippoortjie, but they also collected clothing and shoes.
Vincent and Christine Esbend, from Windmill Park, were the blessed receivers of this kind donation.
“My heart goes out to them. I did it out of my own goodwill to help them survive,” said Swarts.
“They wake up early and walk from far in broken shoes, in search of items to recycle for money.
“I respect their hustle and I encourage other households to do the same for these people.”
This was Swarts and Tamira’s first community project and they will be doing a lot of similar deeds in the future.
They are in the process of initiating their own non-profit organisation, which will be focusing on youth empowerment.
Swarts dreams of buying a building where the youth of the community can showcase their talents.
“There’s a lot of amazing talent in this place and I want to create a platform for it to be noticed and seen,” he said.
His main objective is to eliminate boredom and, at the same time, prevent other youngsters from falling into the same bad habit that consumed him and Tamira.
Swarts was a drug addict for about three years, from 2013 until July, 2016.
“I was in a bad relationship where I changed to be the person someone else wanted me to be; I wasn’t myself anymore,” he explained.
“When my partner and I broke up I realised that what I was doing at that time was wrong and I found myself again.
“I asked God to help me and I thank Him for waking me up every morning and bringing me back to life.
“I am a born-again Christian; He does work through us. We are all subject to the mighty power of God.”
Swarts and Tamira will be showcasing their own clothing brand, Africa Arise, at The Tshwane Fashion Project, which will be held at the end of September.
In line with Heritage Month, their goal is to promote Christianity as a heritage.
“A lot of people don’t know their heritage. I want to remind Africans that they have a heritage and that includes Christianity,” said Swarts.
“Everyone should remember their true identity and their God given talent. With this being said, I also encourage them to live their talents.”
He got the idea of designing his own brand after attending a fashion show, but said that Christianity was the driven force which inspired and motivated him to get the ball rolling.
The clothing brand includes a male and female Urban Street Culture T-shirt, with a bold statement, Africa Arise, printed thereon.
In the future, Swarts plans on making this clothing brand accessible to the public.
