LIMPOPO – In 1999, Shingange was sent to prison for brutally assaulting his girlfriend and was released on parole in 2005. He came out of prison with a matric certificate, welding skills and a changed attitude.
“I wasted six years of my life but I was lucky to come out alive and make something of my life. I turned prison into a learning opportunity,” he said.
Today, the 49-year-old is a busy welder who specialises in making burglar bars and security gates.
“When I arrived in the village, I was shocked to find my friends have achieved many things in life while I languished in jail. I decided to start a welding business, but I had no money,” he said.
Shingange approached his uncle who gave him an old welding machine. He started making burglar bars and window frames at home and through word of mouth, his business grew.
Today, he has a new welding machine and his customers include schools, business people and local churches. His prices range from R500 for burglar bars to R6 000 for a security gate.
He urged young people to learn from him because prison is a very harsh teacher. “Life in prison was very tough. There were so many brutal fights among the inmates. I beg young people who are unemployed not to do crime; they must equip themselves with skills and start their own businesses,” he said.
