A third-year Public Relations student from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), received an award from Radio 702 for his community service on Friday 3 November.

Jeofrey Hlongo received the Lead SA Gauteng hero of the month award for October 2016 from 702 Radio host John Robbie.

While he was still a high school student in 2011, Hlongo started the Live Your Dream Africa Foundation (LYDA) in Diepsloot. Hlongo along with 10 volunteers address gangsterism in the poverty-stricken community.

Hlongo said: ”The award means a lot for my community. I will continue to give back.”

Ms Rene Benecke senior lecturer from the Public Relations and Communication Department said: “Third year Public Relations Diploma students have a very demanding academic programme and yet Jeofrey has showed that it’s possible to apply what you have learned to benefit those less fortunate and change their lives.

“Being recognised by Primedia and its Lead SA active citizenship programme reaffirms that our UJ students are capable of bringing about positive change in society, that they are the heroes of the future,” she said.

The LYDA foundation, a Non-profit organisation, is a youth development program specializing in Education (Maths, English, Science tutoring), arts and culture and Christianity. The foundation is based at Diepsloot West Secondary, offering youth programmes on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hlongo concluded:” We can save South Africa if we support our youth. We need mentors: we need people to support us with their time and resources.”