Rapper and aspirant producer Robbie Malinga junior yesterday hosted a group of boys and young men from disadvantaged backgrounds as part of his project, The Boy Child Initiative.
The 20-year-old known as Rob Mally is the son of the late music legend Robbie Malinga. He started the initiative in honour of his father.
Five members of the group, who were between the ages of 13 and 22, were from different parts of Johannesburg while a sixth was from Heinemann in Free State. The day started out at the Northgate Ice Rink, where they went ice skating. The skating was followed by lunch at Spur with Rob Mally where he got to know them better to try understand the challenges they face.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Rob Mally said he had started the initiative because boys were generally more neglected by society.
“When my father was still alive we were involved in charity work donating shoes, among other things. When my dad passed on, I decided to take over and have fun with the kids. I chose a boy child because sometimes people don’t listen to them. That is why we are seeing a lot of suicides and criminals,” he said.
“Most of the focus is on the girl child. I have been there because when I lost my father no-one cared about asking how I felt. I am still mourning the death of my father and some days are difficult for me.”
Rob Mally said yesterday’s lunch with the boys started when he posted on Instagram saying that he wanted to host boys from Johannesburg. A number of parents reacted by sending messages directly to him. His team then contacted them and members of the group were picked up from home on Sunday morning.
“I am trying to see how we can help them, and just being that big brother. There is a young man who got a deal with a Premier Soccer League team and he was attacked and lost an eye in an incident. We are going to see how we can assist him to get his eyesight back.”
Abel Mfoneli, 22, from Heinemann, told Sowetan he was attacked on February 5, two days before he was set to join a team in the DStv Premiership. Mfoneli, who is in Grade 10, was attacked after a squabble started at a pub.
“I am happy to be here and having fun. But I want Junior and his team to assist me to continue to play soccer, maybe go to university to study a sports management course. I don’t want to believe that my career has ended just like that.”
Mfoneli, a big fan of Mamelodi Sundowns, said he joined others at the ice rink because he had always wanted to skate. After a few minutes in the arena, he said it was difficult and he needed more practice.
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