FORMER SUBSTANCE USER SCOOPS MATRIC BACHELOR PASS

By Phetoho Maja

• A Nigel youth achieved a matric bachelor pass after completing a structured substance use treatment and halfway house reintegration programme supported by DSD.
• Strong collaboration between social workers, recovery centre staff and family support contributed to sustained recovery and educational success.
• The story underscores the impact of DSD-funded substance use services in enabling rehabilitation, reintegration and long-term personal development.

Nigel — A young man from the Southern Corridor has demonstrated that recovery and education can go hand in hand after successfully achieving a matric bachelor pass following five years of substance use challenges.
Twenty-one-year-old Vusimuzi Seabeng completed his National Senior Certificate with eligibility for admission to a bachelor’s degree after participating in a structured substance use treatment and recovery programme supported by the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) and its funded Non-Profit Organisation partners.
According to Precious Mlilo, a Social Worker at Freedom Recovery Centre Halfway House in Nigel, Vusimuzi was admitted to the facility in July 2023 after experiencing dependency related to crystal methamphetamine, with intermittent cannabis use. He completed the primary care treatment phase before transitioning to the halfway house in October 2023 as part of his reintegration and recovery journey.
“He completed the primary care programme and was admitted to the halfway house in October 2023. He started attending Alra Park Secondary School in February 2024, doing Grade 11. Vusimuzi was always emphasising that he would like to complete matric because he dropped out of school due to substance abuse.”
“Basically, he was a disciplined substance user. He followed the programme accordingly; however, he became the longest recovering user on the programme. This sometimes affected him as users came and left the centre, especially those he had already formed a bond with,” said Mlilo.
Family support also played a meaningful role in his journey. Regular home visits during school holidays helped strengthen his reintegration, while a consistent daily routine balancing schooling and recovery supported his overall well-being.
Mlilo has commended her fellow staff members, Mohau Ntsane (House father), Relemohile Makoko (Assistant house father) and Edward Mkhumbeni (Centre Manager) for playing a huge role in Vusimuzi’s life and journey to recovery.
Offering words of wisdom to recovering users, Mlilo said there is hope after addiction as long as the individual is willing to change their behaviour, follow the treatment programme and change their mindset regarding the use of substances.

“I also urge families not to give up on their loved ones because recovery is a journey which comes with a lot of challenges, and having family support is a positive. One needs to always remember that they are in recovery, and a relapse can happen at any time. It is important to also remember where we come from,” concluded Mlilo.
The achievement highlights the critical role of the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with substance use treatment organisations, in promoting rehabilitation, social reintegration, and positive developmental outcomes for young people.