When Roger Fortune found himself unemployed and destitute at the age of 22, he decided drug dealing was a quick way to make money.
Fast forward 16 years, and the father of three says he has left a life of crime behind for the sake of his kids, and now spends his time telling children about the dangers of drugs.
Roger, 38, is a motivational speaker, soccer coach and selector for the South African Football Association (Safa) under-21 team, and member of the Young Pirates soccer club in Heideveld.
Roger, who was once known as “Mr Big”, says he began merting on a small scale, but business soon boomed.
“I grew up in Heideveld and I was surrounded by violence,” he explains.
“At 22, I moved to Strand with my then girlfriend and her family. I was struggling financially and that is when I started dealing.
“It started with selling two packets on the corner and then the two became four and, before you know it, you’re a drug dealer.
“This is what I tell the youth now, and how not to make the choices I did.”
Roger says he kept his “hands clean” by not getting involved with gangs.
“I sold everything from mandrax to
tik. I started small, but then I started
having people work for me.
“I would do the trades and sales with foreign nationals.
“One time the police found drugs on one of the guys that worked with me and I was lucky, I was freed the next day.”
He moved back to Heideveld around 2009, where he continued dealing but soon drew the attention of both police and gangsters.
Roger, 38, is a motivational speaker, soccer coach. Picture: Supplied
“In Heideveld, the police were at my home each and every day,” he explains.
“Once the gangsters came to my home and I had to give them something (money) to stay away.
“I knew then that I had to leave the drugs because when you deal with coloured [people], it’s gangs that get involved.
“I didn’t want that life anymore where I placed my family’s lives in danger.”
In 2011, he met his friend Ricardo Daniels, who took him under his wing, and they revived the soccer club Young Pirates.
“I was always into soccer, and between 2011 and 2015, stopped drug dealing and focused on soccer and got a job,” he says.
Roger is involved in the lives of Young Pirates soccer club members. Picture: Jacke Lestrade
Roger uses his knowledge to educate children: “I have talks with them about the choices they make in life.”
Ricardo adds: “I told Roger in the end he will be a hero for the children who will look up to him.”
Working with the youth is Roger's chief passion. Picture: Supplied