eMbalenhle ex-convict inspires students

eMBALENHLE – Mr Skhumbuzo Mhlabane (32), an ex-convict, is using his performing arts skills to warn young people and offenders against crime.

He is teaching students from Thembelisha Adult Education and Training Centre performing arts from Monday to Thursday afternoons.

Mr Mhlabane aims at changing the negative perception that people have about the students.

Teachers have complained about students arriving late and that they are sometimes difficult to teach and control because their behaviour is often violent.

The centre has more than 290 students and 11 staff members.

Some of the students were given transfer letters from their previous schools, because they no longer qualify for a particular grade because of their age.

Others were transferred because of their bad behaviour.

Mr Mhlabane approached the school management in August and asked to work with the students.

“The response from the students was positive and I think I will continue to work with them for a long time.”

Mr Mhlabane was released from the Leeuwkop Prison in June after serving five years of a 15 year sentences.

He and his gang were found guilty of robbing a shop in Johannesburg five years ago.

Mr Mhlabane established the non profit organisation Changer Guluva to warn people against the danger of living a criminal life and to encourage them to do positive things in their communities.

He teaches basic visual arts, script writing, T-shirt printing, theatre games, story telling, public speaking and creative writing.

His organisation also offers financial management, business and basic leadership skills.

Other programmes include religious education, motivational talks, crime and gangsterism prevention and job placement for ex-convicts.

Mr Mhlabane hopes business people might offer him some financial assistance to run the project.

He believes this could go a long way towards combating crime, drug abuse and the rise in gangsterism in the township.

“My other wish is to encourage other ex-convicts to stay away from crime so as not to return to prison,” said Mr Mhlabane.

He said stigmatising ex-convicts is not going to help the fight against crime, as it would only drive them back to their previous life.

Ms Violent Madi, centre manager, welcomed Mr Mhlabane’s initiative at the school and said the students’ behaviour has changed and that they are taking their school work serious.

Sandile Mphinga and Angela Mokoena , Level 3 students, thanked Mr Mhlabane for teaching them not only performing arts, but life skills as well.

“I was a short-tempered person and fought a lot with people, but that has changed,” said Angela.

Sandile said: “I have developed a strong self-esteem and can use my acting skills to encourage other young people to think positive about their future.”

Contact Mr Mhlabane at 073 921 7146.