Ex-offender convicted at 17 speaks about challenges faced in conventional society

Juluka Baloyi was one of the speakers who addressed learners at Robin Hills Primary School on August 17 on matters concerning criminal acts that could result in juvenile detention.

Baloyi is an ex-offender who was charged at 17 years old on nine accounts of armed robbery. He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for four out of the nine accounts but only served 10 for good behaviour.

Following his eye-opening address at the school, Randburg Sun spoke to Baloyi and he shared the challenges he faced in society as an ex-offender.

He emphasised that his desire to give back to the community arose from the pain he felt when he was in prison and as a juvenile, he questioned the role of parents, guardians and children’s upbringing.

“Once I was released, I realised there is an impact that I can make in terms of breaking the cycle…so the impact that I want to bring is a change in society where we no longer graduate from high school into a prison.”
The challenge he faced post imprisonment was being stigmatised as an ex-convict. “The stigma is a challenge and not getting opportunities of being around people that you should be around.” He added things were slightly changing for him.
Baloyi admitted one benefit he got out of being locked up was rehabilitation. “There were courses we did like change is possible, and learning how to make decisions when you are at a crossroad as well as directions one needs to take when at a crossroad.”

He shared that his vision for boys and girls in the future was to see them living in a different world compared to the one we live in currently. “They deserve to live in a world where they are all treated as equals and respect one another, love one another and remain united.”

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