EX-CON, Msindowezinja Mzilankatha (38), says he was released from jail two years ago, only to be sent into a different kind of prison.
Msindowezinja spent 15 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping. While he was in prison, he longed for the day when his life might return to normal. Not wanting to do anything to jeopardise his freedom, he did his best to model good behaviour, he studied various life-skills and trades, went to church and even joined the prison soccer team.
“I learned my lesson and knew I had to change. I looked forward to the day that I would be released,” he said.
After having been released, Msindowezinja has had to swallow a bitter pill. The life of an ex-con is riddled with insurmountable challenges, and the counselling offered in prison, while powerfully motivating, did not properly prepare him to deal with the stigma he carried after having served time.
“I am finding it impossible to find a job. People don’t want to hire me once they realise that I was in prison. I can’t even get a job at the municipality picking up rubbish, and I need to support my mother. She can no longer work, as she is elderly and disabled.
“In my community, the people know that I have been to prison and they know that I am struggling to find work since I was released. This means that every time a crime is committed in the area, I get a knock on my door. Members of my community just assume it was me because of my past,” Msindowezinja lamented.
Msindowezinja says that he would never again do anything that might jeopardise his freedom, and hopes that sharing his experience with others will deter them from participating in criminal activity.
“When you have served time, you may be released from prison, but you are never truly free.
“The past follows you, no matter how hard you try to change and be a better person. Nobody will ever trust you again. You may never be able to find work, and the support and counselling you get from Correctional Services ends the minute you are released. There is no-one to offer support or encouragement once you are in the community. You are on your own. Don’t let a stupid decision, whether motivated by desperation or greed, ruin the rest of your life. Crime does not pay.”
Do you think ex-convicts deserve a second chance? Would you hire an ex-convict who told you he was trying to turn his life around? E-mail your thoughts to estella@caxton.co.za or whatsapp the Vryheid Herald on 060 986 0731.
