Linzi Thomas is the founder and director of the MyLife Project. She was born on the 28^th of January 1965 in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. She attended Northlands Girls High School, Durban (1982). She also obtained a Hotel Management diploma at the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), 1983.

Linzi founded the Mylife Project, which meets the needs of youth and children living on the streets through a mentorship and empowerment process. Mylife uses role models and leaders to encourage youth to discover their passion, cultivate their talents and find a way forward in their lives.

Linzi spent 8 years at grass roots, trying to understand the "cycle of destruction" that exists in our society and meeting the children and youth labelled "street" children. She started Mylife House in 2004.  They now have 44 previously hardened "street" youth from all over SA and Africa, living together.

The youth work and sustain themselves, whilst bringing hope to those who do not have a way forward in life. They are also showing all of us that it is possible to get back into society, even after spending your childhood living in prisons, on the streets and the "cycle of destruction".

Ms Thomas has joined forces with advertising agencies, artists and music producers worldwide to bring the attention of local and international communities to the plight of street children. MyLife is producing a documentary that focuses on MK, a MyLife director and youth leader who is in London working with renowned chef Jamie Oliver.

Linzi was a finalist for the Shoprite/ Checkers woman of the year 2005. She was also a runner-up for the Clarins Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year Awards (2001). She also won the, "Angel Heart of Africa" and "Cape Times/V&A Waterfront Woman of Worth".

Linzi Thomas is inspired and motivated by the strength, courage, determination and creativity present in South Africa's street youth. Her determination is not just to provide food and shelter, but instead deliver a structure that empowers these youth and recognise their potential.

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Selina van Deventer is the office manager at Our Times, the community newspaper in Kouga. She spends a lot of time helping those suffering from cancer. Selina has watched her grandfather, father and sister suffer from the disease, and this motivated her to work for the Kouga Cancer Association (Cansa). She became a member of the Cancer Association about 14 years ago and has, since then, progressed to Secretary/Treasurer and finally Chairperson. At the age of 70 she currently manages 20 volunteers and has a special relationship with patients and their families from all walks of life, regardless of race or colour.

 Her role includes activities such as:

• distributing food parcels to patients who are struggling financially
• driving patients to Port Elizabeth for treatment
• regular training of volunteers
• giving inspirational talks

She makes pink ribbons for taxi drivers to distribute in the rural areas and to all businesses in and around Jeffreys Bay to raise awareness of Breast Cancer. Raising awareness is only a part of her outreach. Over the years she has collected medical equipment, including wheelchairs and bedpans for the cancer patients.

During Christmas, she makes sure that the patients and their loved ones share something special to eat at a tea or dinner, or receive a festive food parcel. She says "There are a lot of cancer patients who don't know where their next meal is coming from. You have to give up your tithe to the church, and this is mine."

One of the projects Selina started was an annual free breast exam at the Pellsrus clinic. In October, which is breast cancer awareness month, Selina is organising a "Pink Day" tea in Jeffreys Bay, to be opened by the resort town's mayor, Robbie Dennis. Selina says "People don't want to get involved with cancer because it is so emotional but I am always up for a challenge. We can't do without fund-raisers but more people also should get their hands dirty."

Source: The Herald, 2008

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