DJ O'Neal shares his experiences with Phikwe youth

Many youth, particularly the students who participated in the June 16 (Day of the African Child) commemorations at Botshabelo Customary Court, envied O' Neal who has become their role model. The popular DJ started his talk by castigating parents for claiming that they do not know why their children resort to drinking alcohol and smoking yet they are the ones who send them to bars and other drinking spots every day. He urged parents to address issues in a more realistic manner. O'Neal, who was raised up and schooled in Phikwe, said like every student there were things that he did not understand and only got to realise the folly of his actions when he grew up. He said he did not see the need to read harder and instead spent most of his time, enjoying himself with other boys on the streets.

O' Neal said he later joined a music group and became its leader. But other group members were not as committed to the project and dropped one by one and eventually O'Neal was left alone.