InsideOut Issue 5

NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE 5

n s i deout

YiP Staff Tarisai Mchuchu-Ratsidi Project Coordinator YiPSA Melinda Buchus Post-Release Coordinator Nkosinathi Buyana Volunteers’ Coordinator Vuyokazi Magobiyane Post release Administrator Facilitators/Youthworkers Ben Scott Firdows Jardien Nina Nollet Raquel Provda Magazine design Conor Ralphs Meghan Judge

059 - 08 0 - N P O 41 S a l t R iver Ro ad , C o mmun it y Ho use, S al t River 02 1 448 5 2 75 t arisai@yo un gin p r iso n .o rg

www.you ngi npr i s o n.o rg.z a

This publication was supported by a grant from the Open Society Foundation for South Africa (OSF-SA)

contents

Director’s Letter..............................................................................................2 News ..................................................................................................................................3 Both sides...................................................................................................................4 Tree of Life.......................................................................................................... 10 Typographic Portraits...................................................................... 14 My Animal.......................................................................................................... 16 Poetry........................................................................................................................... 24 Collected Stories....................................................................................... 26 My Skin..................................................................................................................... 28 Contributions................................................................................................ 29

Director’s Letter : Insideout Magazine issue 5

A litt le s omet h i ng to ke e p you goi ng

Y

oung in Prison South Africa is proud to present the 5th Issue of the Inside Out magazine. This is a very special issue as we thought it would never be published in the year 2011. Thanks to Open Society Foundation-South Africa, the dream is made real.

2011 has been a year of exercising a lot of faith in the NPO sector as funding sources are drying up, this was especially true for Young in Prison. It is now almost the end of 2011 and I am especially proud to say that despite a lack of resources, we have survived 2011. We are grateful to staff, interns and volunteers that continued to work hard even in the toughest of situations.

My message for 2011, I guess will focus on ‘hard work’ and the importance of it. This message is directed to all young people that will open this magazine and are looking for answers. In times like these where people are counting their pennies, where government is increasing taxes and cutting spending and your parents are always in a frown. Please know that it is not the end of the world, it just means that as a young person, you have to come up with innovative ways to get through this crisis in a way that will land you in trouble. This means that when your friends start talking about starting a crew that can rob people to make money or the adult dealer next door tries to convince to sell drugs for him at the corner of your street or at school. Please be wise enough to know that young people can go to prison and trust me that is not what you want. Stay in school, work hard, before you know it, you will be able to earn an honest living. I know that unemployment and youth are words that we often hear everyday, yes it is true but it is also not the end for youth. There are innovative ways to earn money and contribute to society. Look for needs in your community and form a positiove group to address those needs, be an gent for change in your own community. This is better than joining the local gang that sells drugs and intimidates people with violence. For us to come out of all these troubles in our country, we need innovative young people and you are that young person. How do I know you can do this? I work with young people who are already in trouble with the law and have had to take the long road to learn the lessons of perseverence and hard work. These young men and wmen have taught me these lessons and they so hope and wish that you learn it now before you also get into trouble with the law. They so wish that in whatever you do at school, home or work… please focus on ‘hard work’ Merry Christmas!

Tarisai Mchuchu-Ratshidi and the YiP Team

2

News : Insideout Magazine issue 5

YiP SA is online!! www.younginprison.org.za

Support us Young in Prison is a small organisation with a big job on our hands. We need you to get involved and support us! Here’s how you can: Direct donation Any donations, no matter how big or small, will be put to good use and help us continue to do our work. Below are our banking details should you wish to make an electronic payment or bank transfer. Please provide your name as a reference if you so wish.

Young in Prison Account Number: 1021284556 Bank: Nedbank Branch: 296 Victoria Road, PO Box 1034, Woodstock, 7925 SWIFT: NEDSZAJJ Online donation Donate online with Backabuddy or Greater Good SA CSI I you have an interest in supporting us through your corporation, we would love to hear from you. We can easily provide full details of our financial history and plan for the year ahead. Please drop us a line at tarisai@younginprison.org

Spread the word! Stay informed!

We know that many people want to help. but if you don’t have time to volunteer, or money to donate, you can always help us by spreading the word. Join our facebook group, follow us on twitter, or recommend us to any funders, volunteers or journalists who you think may be interested in the work we do by sending them the link to our website. By joining our mailing list, we will keep you up to date with what’s happening at YIP, mainly our Insider Art exhibition, new issues of our magazine, and any events we might be holding.

3

Both Sides : Insideout Magazine issue 5 This was one of the most powerful workshops we have yet done. The life skill overall topic tackled in this series was ‘IDENTITY’ that of ‘who I really am and what I feel versus what I let people think I am and I feel’. Since our faces are the one part of our bodies that cannot be covered or hidden from the world..the participants decided to use their own faces as murals and showcase the two conflicting sides to who they are. They expressed that the gang tattoos or any scars they may have on their bodies do not make who they but rather show the dark side to incarceration. We then confronted these issues by focusing on the softer side, great desires in their hearts which is the complete opposite of the gangster tattoos. The conclusion was that even if they cannot get rid of the physical tattoos, it will never make who they are and will use their experiences to teach other youngsters that gaining such a tattoo is not glamorous at all.

4

BOTH

SIDES

5

6

Both Sides : Insideout Magazine issue 5

7

Both Sides : Insideout Magazine issue 5

8

9

These workshops were about confrontation of the past, making sense of the present and moving forward into a positive future for all participants involved.

The participants literally had to fill in a ‘Christmas tree’, step by step till the reach the top. This proved to be of great assistance in helping them reach a point of setting positive goals after their release from prison, an important and rather overlooked step in the prerelease stage.

Yandisa Mvula, 21yrs I was a drug addict I want to be an artist I’m happy when I get new shoes I regret being a drug user I am a coolest person

My life story I grew up in khayelistha i started my grade 1 to grade 7 afer I passed my grade 5 I stayed in Langa that where I started to use drugs and became a criminal but it does not mean I can’t change I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST

10

Tree of Life : Insideout Magazine issue 5 Akhona 18yrs I was a gangster I want to be a fisherman I’m happy when loved I am unique I regret robbing people I get upset when I’m mad and sad

My life story

Luvuyo Mbeyiya

I was a child and was raised up nicely

I am 19 years old.

& suddenly I began crime & ended up in jail.

I was a boy who loves to go to school.

But right now I am serving a God

I want to be a good boy

and my life has changed completely,

who will be respected in my community.

From being a gangster to a child of

I am happy when I’m playing soccer.

God and I am proud of serving God.

My regret is to murder someone.

And right now I am encouraging the

I get upset when my girlfriend cheat on me.

youth of today that they must enjoy

I am a boy who loves to communicate with people.

life to the fullest

My life story

& enjoy being

I am a boy who have done bad things to other people just to impress other people

Andile basop 19yrs I was a person who loves people

just to show them who am I but it was all a bad idea.

Commiting a murder cause was a bad for me because afer that I did not concentrate in school

I want to be a police man

and I joined gang group because my life was

I regret being arrested I get upset when my girlfriend makes angry

upside down and robbing people was my job.

I want to change my life because crime does not pay.

My life story I was selling alcohol at home and people thought I was a fool,

I’m asking God to help me pen my heart I want to build a family.

because I was young and I was not educated to own a Shebeen.

I then started to lend people money and then they don’t pay me.

So I ended up getting angry and I decided to shoot them.

I then started to use drugs, robbed people and stealing money from my parents.

I got arrested because I murdered two people I regret doing those things, but it was all because of anger.

11

Tree of Life : Insideout Magazine issue 5 Thobile.

I am 20 years old.

I was a good boy who love reading.

I want to be a good man who respects his wife.

I’m happy when I am drawing.

Vuyani Dumani

My regrets is to murder someone.

20yrs

I get upset when my girlfriend when he is lies to me.

I loved playing soccer

I am a man who loves people and love himself.

I want to be in a role model to my brothers I regret robbing people and being in jail

My life story I was a good man when I was younger

My life story

but the years goes and I start a new life

When I was young I started going to school

are use to rob people in the street and do house breaking

at grade 1 till grade 12 when I finish at school.

and are end up in prison for the murder for 5 years sentenced.

I was playing soccer in my community

In the prison I changed my life to be a good person

we were group remembers, Doing nice things.

to respect people and take care of each other

When I passed grade 12, I was unemployed

and are take another way to keep my life busy

so I joined the gang.

by playing soccer in the field of my community

We used to rob people, stabbing each

to keep the children in the drugs and bad things in the street.

other, fighting with other gangs and we

I want to take care of my family and children to give them a good life

end up in prison

to live a perfect way in the world I don’t want

Bandall I am 20 years old.

I was didn’t like girls.

I want to be an example for my daughter.

I am happy when I am with my family.

My regrets I don’t like using drugs.

I get upset when I don’t get what I want.

My life story I don’t know my father, always asked my mother where is my father, she said she would show me who he is but she never did. Then she passed away (was murdered) the money that was meant for my mothers funeral was used by members of my family & that is the reason why I don’t like my family. I decided to stay with my friends & get involved with drug abuse. Got addicted & started breaking into peoples houses. Felt like giving up on life.

Got caught & went to prison tried to leave to drugs. When I was released after six months, I got involved with drugs again because of disappointment life.

I have a child outside, she is 1 year & 6 months.

12

Zolani Mkalipi I am 21 years old.

I was a wrong person.

I am happy when I want to change my life.

My regrets to be a wrong person in my life.

I get upset when I don’t have money.

I am a special person.

Bati 1991-11-14 I was very shy boy, but I changed I want to be poet I am happy when I am with my girlfriend My regret is doing crime which complicated my opportunities of going overseas and to complete my studies.

I get upset when someone gossips about me and when my girlfriend disgusses our problems our problems with her peeps.

My life story

My life story I am kind of shy and laid back I don’t communicate that much. I cry some times and pray on my but now I don’t have place to stay because of my friends. own. I like women a lot.

I broke my mothers heart to please my friends I’m not in any relationships. I read a lot. I am that’s why I don’t have a place to stay. coward but I put a mask for u to be afraid of me.

All I need its help.

I have been in and out of prison. I blame no one I want place to stay but me. I don’t smoke that is good about me. I drink a lot. I like to think that I am smart but then I’m so tied to stay sometimes flirt and get hurt when something is not going my way.

Santino I was staying in Nyanga East when I grew up

Im 18 years old I was a gangster.

I am a pastor.

I want to be a layer.

I’m happy when tik.

My regrets was to come to prison.

I get upset when I can’t smoke.

My life story I was good child until my granny died.

Then I began to get into crime. I became a gangster.

Than I took extacy and started drinking.

Than I started to shoot people for money.

Ended up sleeping on the streets.

Then I was arrested for possession of !re arm.

I was sentenced to 4 years.

I have been here for two years

Thabang Khaledi 20yrs I was a bad boy I was a dancer I am happy when I am with my son My life story I started to take drugs with friends and I forgot where I come from.

I ended up in prison And I joined a gang called the 28 so now I know friends are not there when you are in this place so I have to stop to the man I was so I am who I was the day I was born.

So I have to tell myself I will stop robbing and kill so this is my life story.

My real life story is to start my work and to a mentor in my community to start my soccer club with the kids in my community

13

{typographic portraits } This is now a regular form of expression within our workshops. In this series, the participants used words or messages to make a reflection of who they are, what they identify with and what they would like to be. This was not just about identity but also reflection, being able to see yourself in a mirror and critically decide what you want to see. The words that each individual wrote in the portrait is the result and what they would like to see of themselves.

14

Typographic Portraits : Insideout Magazine issue 5

15

Director’s Insideout 5 We continuedLetter with the :identity coloursMagazine and positive issue characteristic traits as in the 3rd Inside Out Issue. The participants chose colours and different animals that they felt identified with them and stated why they chose so. In these workshops, we saw and understood that these are young people who have strong desires to be good and feel positivity in their lives. Most chose animals that I would consider only bad and when they did at first, I thought, ‘ah well! we will not get positivity out of this workshop’, but as they engaged with each other and the facilitators, there was a strong sense of childhood, potential and will to protect those they love but also to change and show in very real ways that change in society.

My Animal

16

“I chose a tiger because he takes care of his family and goes out to hunt for food. I also like the patterning skin and he is really fast.

He has lots of energy. YELLOW- a tiger has yellow skin/fur and I love the colour. REDred is a beautiful colour

✦ Sithembele

My Animal : Insideout Magazine issue 5 I choose a fox because I like it and the fox can protect me and when I am lonely then I have a friend I would also like to take care of it BROWN – I like a brown dog YELLOW - because it’s bright

✦ Bradley Snyders

17

My Animal : Insideout Magazine issue 5

I chose the dolphin because a dolphin has the capacity to save a person’s life Dolphins are free, they are always in water.

I like the smooth skin of the dolphin RED – the colour of my heart BROWN – the colour of my skin

✦ Linda 18

It’s a cat, wild animal.

It has power to run fast. It is the fastest.

It has opposite colours black and orange. Can even have green eyes. It has courage to keep its baby safe.

When it gets food it goes to eat it with its baby. Its colours are amazing because many people like them And they can merge the colours. Sometimes it when it sees people it can become angry.

Because it is a wild animal. It eats red meat, I am talking about springboks. It eats other animals too. It stays in green land.

BLACK AND ORANGEcolours that bring people together.

GREEN- for agriculture

âœŚ Athi Gagela

19

I choose a Rhino because they like to protect their family and I love my family.

I want to have my own family later and take care of them.

BLUE- blue (sky) is the limit. âœŚ Riaan Booysen

20

My Animal : Insideout Magazine issue 5 I chose the Lion because I like it and because my favourite animal and its colour brown and yellow.

âœŚ Cleashade Moses

21

My Animal : Insideout Magazine issue 5

Sometimes I want to scare people and Sometimes I want to hide.

An eagle looks beautiful.

Eagles catch snakes.

Have a lot of energy, it can fly very high.

It can change, that is there is a season where the mouth and the nails fall and new one come up and it becomes more fresh and have more energy.

22

It is a difficult time for the Eagle. It cannot go out and search for Food, others are supporting it.

Some can make it, some not.

Sometimes they feel like they can die than living under that situation.

BROWN- colour of my skin GREEN- my favourite colour âœŚ Enrico

I chose the Wolf because he is nice Always with family Always looking after the family They always eat with family

âœŚ Marcelino Abrahams

23

POE~try Be Strong by Athi Gagela

Freedom by Bradley

Crime doesn’t pay, pay nothing.

If you do the crime, you pay the time.

We raise up in prison, in a place of gangsters.

We raise up without out parents.

We raise up like street kids under the bridge.

Crime doesn’t pay. It pays nothing.

We are human beings just like everyone else.

Why must we fight for our rights?

I feel sad because every day I eat the same food.

Our brothers and sisters, they need us.

Why must we stand up for our rights?

Same food.

They need our knowledge and skills to be successful in life.

I think my rights are my freedom.

I feel happy because Young In Prison shows us good things about the future.

Routine by Sithembele Ndunyana

I feel happy because I’m going home in January.

Same food.

Be strong children, be strong.

We must stand up for our rights, we must wake up.

Don’t give up, because life is not easy.

It’s hard to be successful in life.

I am sad because of my future falling down.

I don’t have things to do in prison.

I am wild like the dogs in life.

You dream many things, important things, about the future.

I’d rather be asleep than awake so that I can dream.

I feel sad because I see one face all the time.

Home. At home, they give you love. They give you happiness.

They give you many things.

I feel sad all the time, I’m wearing one clothes.

One clothes.

One clothes.

One face.

Same thing.

One face.

Routine.

All the time.

24

The 10th of January I’m going home.

I’m feeling sad because of the cops. They wake me up when I’m asleep.

→

Every day.

Poetry : Insideout Magazine issue 5

When I Wake Up by Enrico

Untitled by Marvon

I think about home

In die ogint staan ek lekke op

I think about my family

Deer die dag is ek heppie Wanneer ek slaap dan droemek u an my fumile

Someone’s playing with my mind

I think about bad, bad, bad things

Ek sal lyk om op n pert se rig te ry

Untitled by Marcelino

And my family

But I think about home

When days are dark and friends are desirable,

The good times with my family

or not,

Walking in nature with my family

you have to love them as you love yourself.

All the good things make me feel sad Because I am here, inside Same people, same food, same clothes

We are all equal.

Hands up, panties down because Lino is backing down.

It makes me feel bad

25

Collective Stories : Insideout Magazine issue 5 Collective Stories: Rap THE CAT IS [ME]

TOM WENT TO THE STORE TO BUY A [CROCODILE]

THIS IS [ME]

THE CROCODILE WAS WEARING A [SUIT]

I ASKED HIM, DO YOU LIKE ME FOR ME OR MY

THAT BARNEY WORE ON THAT HOT DAY WAS

SWEET NEW [SHOES]

[ABSURD]

HE REALLY LIKES SHOES THAT ARE BRIGHTLY

HE DID KILL US [BAD]

[COLOURED]

IT’S NOT RIGHT TO DO [THIS]

I LIKE TEH COLOURED [T-SHIRT]

THIS IS A PAPER WITH ONE COLOUR ONLY

I REALLY LIKE MY HUGO BOSS TSHIRT BUT I

[WHITE]

MISSED IT AT [HOME]

I LIKE WHITE [CLOTHES]

I MISS MY HOME VERY [MUCH]

I LIKE [CLOTHES]

I LIKE MY CHILD TOO [MUCH]

I GOT MY [CLOTHES]

I LOVE [MUCH]

CLOTHES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. THEY COST A LOT OF MONEY

MAD [DOG] I AM A [DOG] I AM A [DOG] THE DOG WAS PINK AND [FLUFFY] SO THE MONSTER NAMED FLUFFY ATE MY [COOKIES] I LIKE COOKIES LIKE I LIKE [THIS] THIS ELEPHANT IS HUGE BUT NOT [SCARY] I AM [SCARY]

I DONT EAT MEAT BECUASE IM A [VEGETARIAN] VEGATARIANS LOVE [VEGETABLES] I DONT LIKE [VEGETABLES] THE VEGATABLES WERE TASTEY & [DELICIOUS] THIS WERE [DELICIOUS] THE MOST DELICIOUS FOOD IS ICECREAM. I LIKE ICECREAM BECAUSE ITS [AWESOME!] J I AM A AWESOME [GUY]

I SAW A FUNNY CAT ONE DAY AND HE SAID [“MEOW”] LAST NIGHT I DIDNT SLEEP BECAUSE OF CAT

THIS [ME]

WAS [CRYING]

SHE LOOKED T ME AND [SMILED]

I DONT LIKE [CRYING]

AND I SAID WHEN YOU SMILE IT MADE MY WHOLE

I [CRY]

WORLD [SHINE]

I CRY WHEN I AM [HAPPY]

LIKE A STAR OR THE SUN OR [NYANGA]

LIKE THE TASTE OF [GRAPEFRUIT]

I AM VERY SCARED TO GO TO NYANGA BECAUSE OF

I NEVER HAVE DRINK A GRAPEFRUIT

[CRIME]

[FAVOURITE]

ITS NOT GOOD TO DO CRIME BEACUSE YOU GET IN

MY FAVOURIT THING IS TO BE WITH MY [FAMILY]

[PRISON]

MY FAMILY ARE [FUNNY]

ITS NOT NICE TO BE A [SLAVE]

GIRLS YOU ARE LOOKING SO FUNNY TO US

YOU SEE A SLAVE, I DONT LIKE.

26

CS

CS

Freestyle rap is a way to let creativity flow and be there in the moment, with no art supplies needed. The participants were prompted to write anything they were feeling at the moment. We started by asking them, “What do you think about when you wake up?” It took a bit of time to open up for a group of people that are kept quiet so often, but they had a lot to say. They began to inspire each other with their words. These are the beginnings of our rap workshops.

Hoping to record some of them, powerful way to communicate.

THERE ONCE WAS A MAGICAL [MONKEY]

ONCE THERE WAS A BOY THAT LIVED IN

THE MONKEY TOLD ALICE THAT HE WANTED TO

[GUGULETHU]

BUY THE NEW JZ [ALBUM]

HAS THIS AWESOME RESTAURANT WHERE

THE JACK PAROW ALBUM IS REALLY [BAD]

FAMOUS PEOPLE GO AND [EAT]

THE BAD GUYS ARE VERY [DANGEROUS]

MY FAVOURITE FOOD I LIKE TO EAT RED

IT’S NOT GOOD TOBE DANGEROUS, IT’S

[MEAT]

BETTER TO BE [COOL]

I DONT EAT MEAT BECUASE IM A

MY FREINDS CALL ME DADDY COOL, BUT I AM

[VEGETARIAN]

NOT [ONE]

VEGATARIANS LOVE [VEGETABLES]

HE IS THE ONE WHO WENT TO BEYONCE’S

I DONT LIKE [VEGETABLES]

HOUSE ON [SATURDAY]

THE VEGATABLES WERE TASTEY &

SATURDAY IS THE DAY I GO OUT WITH MY

[DELICIOUS]

[FAMILY]

THIS WERE [DELICIOUS]

I LOVE MY [FAMILY]

THE MOST DELICIOUS FOOD IS ICECREAM. I

I LOVE MY FAMILY

LIKE ICECREAM BECAUSE ITS [AWESOME!] J I AM A AWESOME [GUY]

I LIKE TO [SMILE] LOVE TO [SMILE] BAD [SMILE] IF I SEE A WOMAN HER SMILE I FEEL [HAPPY] I AM HPPY WHEN THE COURT FOUND ME NOT [GUILTY] I FEEL GUILTY WHEN I SEE SOMEONE HURT MY FAMILY [MEMBERS] I LIKE THE MEMBERS TOO MUCH, MY FREINDS ARE ALL MEMEBERS OF MY [FAMILY] MY FAMILY TAKES [CARE] OF ME I CARE ABOUT MY [PEOPLE] ALL OVER THE WORLD

THIS [ME] SHE LOOKED T ME AND [SMILED] AND I SAID WHEN YOU SMILE IT MADE MY WHOLE WORLD [SHINE] LIKE A STAR OR THE SUN OR [NYANGA] I AM VERY SCARED TO GO TO NYANGA BECAUSE OF [CRIME] ITS NOT GOOD TO DO CRIME BEACUSE YOU GET IN [PRISON] ITS NOT NICE TO BE A [SLAVE] YOU SEE A SLAVE, I DONT LIKE.

27

my skin

28

My Skin : Insideout Magazine issue 5

29

Contributions : Insideout Magazine issue 5

Following my Dreams at Live Mag SA When I first came to Live I didn’t know what to expect, all I knew was that I was going to write for a magazine. On the first day, after our get together lunch, I felt a bit intimidated by my colleagues because some of them were university graduates and others were still studying. I felt like a nobody among them, regarding my background, and I also thought that these guys were more talented and intelligent than me. Now when I think about it I guess it was because I had never met people who I shared the same talents with and I was afraid of being undermined by them.

As time went by I started to feel more comfortable because I just told myself that if Gavin, who is the co- founder of Live Mag UK and publisher of Live Mag SA, didn’t think I had something to offer then he wouldn’t have chosen me to become part of his team. I decided that I’m going to do my best and I also opened my mind to learning from everyone.

There were times when I could sense the undermining among the girls but I told myself not to let it get to me. I enjoy working with everyone and I know that we won’t all be friends but we are able to work and communicate well with each other.

Being with these people has encouraged me to never give up on my ambitions. I am now more determined to succeed in life. Sometimes being there makes me think back to when I was a teenager. I get emotional when I think about where I would have been in terms of my career, had I not been involved in crime and drugs. I thank God that I’m still able to correct some of my past mistakes and regain myself. I read a quote by someone I don’t remember but it says, ‘’Live like you’re gonna die tomorrow and dream like you’re gonna live forever.’ For me it meant that I should seek opportunities, make the most of them and enjoy them. It’s still a long way to go before I can say I’ve made it but I’ve come long way to say that I’m no longer an ex offender, an ex gangster, I am Nana Futshane and I’m a journalist.

30

Director’s Letter : Insideout Magazine issue 5

31

Director’s Letter : Insideout Magazine issue 5

Young in Prison: Workshop Methodology Young in Prison’s vision is to ensure that even within a harsh prison environment, children and youth are given the opportunity to become responsible, productive and participating citizens of our country. YiP believes that self-development and self esteem make up the essential foundation from which positive life choices must be based, and it is YiP’s belief that arts and creativity are the ideal way in which to pursue that goal.

32

Participants: Anele Sadick Lizo Akhona Naverone Luthando Thabang Ricardo Vuyo Bati Lukhanyiso Siyabulela Remarco Muneeb Leviano John Wyne Salantino Bradley Enrico Sinetembele Athi Marcelino

w w w. y o u n g i n p r i s o n . o r g . z a