When Sihle became a qualified teacher, he was excited to take his place in front of the classroom and inspire the next generation. But life had other plans, and he began to lose his way. Through an unlikely journey, he eventually discovered a sense of hope that didn’t just put him back on track, but revealed a stronger, different version of himself.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (22 April 2026) – Life is precious and beautiful, but its inherent duality means it also carries a fair share of hardship and devastation. When Sihle Tsepo Mokoena earned his degree in Education, he looked forward to a bright future. One where he could finally use his qualification to teach, nurture, and inspire.
But life had other plans.
Sihle lost his mother, a devastating loss that was soon followed by the depression of unemployment and the weight of feeling like a failure as he couldn’t support his child.
Sihle watched the life he had imagined slip further out of reach. As personal struggles pulled at him from every side, he eventually turned to alcohol and substance abuse just to cope.
He later learned about a Social Employment Fund initiative with Liberty NPO (now Ntuli M Enviro Services) that introduced him to DUCT River’s Envirochamps programme – a community-based initiative focused on environmental conservation, river health, and sustainable livelihood creation.
In Sihle’s words, he was embarrassed to be on an Envirochamps programme because he was a qualified teacher. But the programme met him right where he was and provided him with an opportunity for growth.
He initially joined the programme as a team leader – a role that challenged everything, from his patience and confidence to his habits. It forced him to show up differently, and he rose to the occasion.
Sihle went from being a Team Leader to an Admin Assistant and now, a Programme Administrator.
“Along the way, Sihle put down the bottle and the blunt and became the father he wanted to be,” DUCT Rivers shares.
In his words, the programme opened doors he didn’t know existed.
“Through training and exposure, he discovered a head for business and a passion for property. Today, he’s an NQF 4 qualified Property Agent and manager of his own rental unit. The programme also introduced him to water management, and now he’s training in wastewater treatment and processes.”
Once a man on the brink of giving up, Sihle found a second chance and renewed purpose in the place he least expected – an environmental conservation programme.
“Such testimonies remind us why we do what we do. Congratulations, Sihle.”
Sources: DUCT Rivers
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