“I’m one sip of whisky away from relapsing, one line of cocaine away” – Kabelo Mabalane

Kabelo Mabalane is a prime example of a  star who once opened up about battling an addiction and in did so in the hopes of helping others. It’s been 14 years since beating the demon of drugs and substance abuse, Kabelo Mabalane is now taking it back to the streets.

The award-winning kwaito musician and actor will lead a community march in Eersterust, east of Pretoria, on Saturday. A statement from the Eersterust Stakeholder Coalition released in February further coaxed Mabalane into action. In it, the community laid bare the hard and cold facts of their desperate situation.

“When I left rehab 14 years ago the first place I went to was Eersterust where I joined the community in action against drug abuse.

“The scourge has worsened and I’m going back to pick up where I left off,” he said.

Mabalane will address residents at Eersterust soccer stadium at the end of the march, under the auspices of the anti-substance abuse social movement by Gauteng premier David Makhura.

“I’ve been pushed to do something because all it takes is one generation to keep quiet for the next to be wiped out.

“I’m one sip of whisky away from relapsing, one line of cocaine away.

“As a recovering addict you’re never in the clear, you must always be on guard and accountable.

“There is nothing special about me, I just listened,” he said.

Mabalane celebrates a few milestones this year, 14 years clean, turning 40 in December, running his ninth Comrades Marathon.