Pupils had the opportunity to hear about the harsh consequences of being a criminal from ex-offenders, last Friday.
Ex-offenders Community Project visited Kwa-Mahlobo Secondary School to share a chapter in their lives that affected their whole lives.
In a drama performed for pupils, the ex-offenders told stories about life in prison.
The ex-offenders call it hell, they say its no place for one to be and that it is a place where men rape other men, where murders happen frequently and gangsterism is given a high praise.
An ex-offender, Vuyo Nqxazana was arrested for armed robbery and sentenced 30 years imprisonment but was released early.
He said peer pressure and wanting to be seen as ‘ukleva’ landed him in jail (university for criminals).
“Every decision determines your tomorrow.
“If you are not going to start making a wise choices then expect to the consequences that come with it.”
Life is also hard on the outside but the ex-offenders say it is better because they have the opportunities to help change the lives of young people.
Another ex-offender Sibusiso Nkosi said he had the opportunity to go to school but chose a life of crime.
“I will not make excuses for my choices.
“For me it was not peer pressure.
“Being a criminal is a stupid choice I made although back then I thought I was ‘ukleva’, today the results of my choice are harsh to bear,” he said.
Their aim is to save lives by performing the play to as many young people as possible and most importantly get them to change their mindsets.
“God has blessed us with life.
“We are hopeful after all the nature of humans is to change, the challenge is to overcome and secret is to risk.
“When I say risk, I mean on positive things that are able to make you a better person,” Nqxazana said.
The play at school kept pupils captivated and left them with wise words to think about.
