Selfless acts finally pay off

“This Award means a lot in my life and it reflects recognition for the work I’ve been doing since 2010 when I started community development through education and sports.”

Those were the words of Proud Shoko, the president of Golden Drifters Football Club and Academy, reflecting on his massive triumph at the recent Youth Achievers Awards.

This Zandspruit leader walked away with the Youth Leader of the Year award – the biggest award of the evening at this prestigious event.

“Firstly, I want to thank God for the calling I have of serving the community. I call it ‘a calling’ because I do it out of passion and without expecting anything in return,” he said.

Through his calling, Shoko has positively impacted hundreds of lives in the past nine years.

For those who aspire to walk in his shoes, he had this to say. “Don’t give up on what you’re doing. It has taken me nine years to win this prestigious award. I’ve never received any salary for the work I do in the community, but because I’m passion-driven nothing stops me because the lives of the youth matter the most, as they are the most vulnerable people in the community.

“So keep going and one day you’ll be recognised for your work. Let your passion drive you, not the desire for money or to be rich,” Shoko encouraged.

Lastly, he thanked all his supporters for ensuring that he brought the award home.

“I wish to thank the club and its supporters for driving the voting campaign on their social media platforms. I also thank those individuals from my church, Forward in Faith Ministries; SAFA West Rand Region members; and Roodepoort Northsider for an article encouraging people to vote for me,” a grateful Shoko said.

As it is said that it takes a village to raise a child, Shoko thanked his community for raising him; in return he vowed to raise their children.