A recent phone call to Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom set in motion a meaningful encounter with Ivor Swartz – a speaker, mentor and youth leader whose life story is a testament to hope, change and second chances.

Ivor is known for his work with young people and has been involved in schools, churches, prisons and youth camps since 2007. His message is rooted in his own lived experience. As a youngster, he tried to escape difficult circumstances, but along the way made poor choices that eventually led to a prison sentence.

It was there, however, that his life took a new direction. With the support of a teacher, he completed his matric and decided it was time for a fresh start.

“I want to stop other young people from going down the same path,” Ivor says. “There is always hope, no matter how dark your circumstances may seem.”

After his release in 2005, he devoted himself to inspiring young people. Today, through his organisation, Youth the Future, he visits around 80 schools each year, sharing a message of hope, responsibility and the importance of making wise choices.

Academically, Ivor has also made his mark. He studied theology and obtained a BTh degree in 2015, followed by an honours degree in 2019. He currently serves as youth pastor at Oosterlig Gemeente, a church in Pretoria and is involved in the #IMAGINE teen movement. His book, Die verlore seun vannie Gaatjie, was published in 2020 and later won the Desmond Tutu–Gerrit Brand Prize. In 2022, his book Kies die lewe: Leer dans in depressie followed, along with a television series on VIA.

On 1 April, Ivor shared a powerful message of hope, love and care during the children’s home’s annual Passion Play.

For our children, his visit was a reminder that their circumstances do not define them, and that every child deserves the chance to begin a new chapter.