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A reformed Port Elizabeth beggar and recovered alcoholic is determined to start afresh and give back to the community through opening a butchery.
Ronald Shaw was given another chance at life when he turned over a new leaf after battling with his addiction for years.
This after the assistance of former councillor for Central, the late Jeremy Davis, who took him for help at the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) and Shepherd's Field Kibbutz rehabilitation centre.
"I've been an alcoholic since school and did not care about anything, except alcohol. That's what I lived for. I started begging on the streets just for something to drink. I met a man who would just greet me, but not give me any money. He asked me if I wanted to change my life and I did. I wanted to get off the streets," Shaw said.
Shaw is originally from Johannesburg and has lived on the streets of the Free State and Cape Town before settling in Port Elizabeth.
'He changed my entire life'
"I've realised that it was not the life I wanted and always prayed for help. Before Davis found me and helped me, my body used to depend on alcohol. I could not function properly without drinking."
Shaw previously worked in a butchery as a qualified blockman. That sparked the initiative to open his own butchery one day and to help others.
"Somebody did something for me and did not expect anything in return, but just wanted to do something good for someone. I feel like I owe Mr Davis for the rest of my life because he changed my entire life. He gave me a new perspective."
He and his wife are now living at Vistarus Mission Station in Sydenham where he is striving to give back by sharing his story.
"I told myself that when I was on the right path, I would give back to the community and try to live a healthy and honest life. I want to help those who are caught up with the same problem I had."
The butchery was officially opened in early August and he paved the way for unemployed residents by providing them with employment in his newly-opened butchery.
(PE Express)
'I have to give back'
"While I was recovering from my addiction and working as a blockman, I had some help in raising funds to open my own butchery. The main objective for the butchery is to help people. All the staff working at the butchery were unemployed before I appointed them."
Shaw dedicated his butchery to Davis to show gratitude and always be reminded to stay on the right path. Davis, who was well-known for his efforts to return Central to its former glory, passed away earlier this year.
"Mr Davis's name is written on the window of the butchery, 'For Mr Davis'. He helped people and I want to do the same. The aim is to get people, especially the youth, off the streets, and train them as semi-skilled blockmen. I have to give back."
