Ex-Joyous singer goes back to the streets!

FORMER Joyous Celebration star goes back to the streets.

Ayanda Shange was once homeless and he now wants to return and spread some light.

Ayanda from Claremont in KZN will celebrate his 38th birthday on 19 February with people who are homeless.

“My mum died in 1997 when I was 10 years old, while my dad died in 2003 when I was 15 years old. Life was upside down after that. I lived with a guardian who ended up selling our home. I faced a lot of abuse as a kid and that led me to the streets because I saw there was peace of mind there. I’d forget about the problems I was facing when I was high.

“I was about 15 years old when I left home. It wasn’t for the longest of time, but two to three months was too long for my age. That’s where I learnt about drugs like glue and weed,” he said.

Ayanda was saved by someone who had faith in him.

“Someone from Folweni who believed in me took me in. This was because we’d sit and sing as amaphara. That person would hear me sing and they saw potential in me. He gave me a place to live.

“He evangelised and put me at the Apostolic Church of Christ (PACC). Although I was 15 years old, it was easy to hear the word when it was shared with me. This was because I already had a church background. My mum and dad were pastors at St John’s Apostolic Faith Mission. So, I grew up in Sunday School and didn’t live another life besides that one. That church showed me the love I never received anywhere,” he said.

Ayanda said he wanted to bring the same hope and love he received.

“My wife, Koketso runs a non-profit organisation called Ngiyakholwa Kuzoguquka Foundation and I asked to partner with her for this. I told her I wanted to revive hope in my brothers and sisters in the streets. Because I’m in Joburg, I’ll be doing it in Lenasia, Soweto. We’ll cook for them and share the word of God. I’ll also share my story.

“I also want to remind them that the fact that they’re still alive means there’s still hope. Some of them should swallow their pride and go back home. We’re going there to show them that someone like me was once like them. It’ll be a three-hour session before I have my day with my family because that’s how I usually spend my birthday,” he said.