NO V E M B E R
09 issue 2
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Editorial Young people in prison can get stuck in a mindset of doom and gloom. Our aim has been to try and encourage the participants of our workshops to think positively about their current situation and imagine a future free from drugs, crime and violence. In todays modern world, time has become a very valuable commodity for many people. Those in prison, on the other hand, have plenty of time, although often this is not used productively. We got the participants to reflect on what meaningful things they have recently learnt, as it’s important that they focus on constructive ways to pass their time. In this issue, we have used the idea of Fashion to explore questions around identity and how one presents oneself to the world. Body language, clothing, tattoos… these are all things that immediately make an impression on other people. We got them to look at how, by changing their body language, they could portray a different image. This process resulted a fashion spread that we shot in Medium A, showcasing some of the ways that the inmates personalise their prison uniforms. The females were given the opportunity to create a “coming-out of prison”gown by dressing a paper doll with fabric scraps. Interestingly, as you will see, many of the designs lean towards everyday streetwear as this is how they actually want to be represented. In the speech bubbles, they share with us that despite their situations, there is still hope. The material in this magazine is only a part of the programme we run. Drama, music and dance activities are also utilized to allow them to express their thoughts and feelings. We are constantly inspired and amazed by the abundance of talent that we see every week. by Julia Merrett and Clinton Osbourn November 2009
NOVEMBER
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09 issue 2
CONTENTS writing from inside ........... 2 Maskerade....................... 6 Committing Rhymes .......... 13 Poetry . ......................... 14 Cutout Dolls ................... 16 Q & A ........................... 20 Horoscopes .................... 22 Sports . ......................... 23
YiP Staff Tarisai Mchuchu-Ratsidi Project Coordinator YiPSA Deon Engelbreght Post-Release Coordinator
Participants Nabeel Thabang Moenier Cameiledene Themba Vogan Mbulelo Thandolwethu Simon Vuyani Xolisa Thandikhaya Lee Roy
Tsepo Siyabulela Bulelani Ashwin Lydon Siyabulela Siphosoxolo Zingisa Daniella Elmarika Annamarika Adila Shereldene
Ignacia Chantel Michelle Venecia Gertrude Zintle Liezl Naeefa Thembisa Berenice Bongiwe Andiswa Anthea Candice
Chengetai Maruziva Voluntary Projects Coordinator Sander Timmermans Intern Tarek Slimani Intern Facilitators/Youthworkers Clinton Osbourn Julia Merrett Nkosinathi Buyana Magazine design Meghan Judge Conor Ralphs
Yo u ng i n Pr i s o n 0 2 1 44 8 5 275 e ma i l : C he n g e pa i @ yo un gi np r i s o n .o rg w w w.yo u n gi np r i s o n. org
Games........................... 24
W Blessing in disguise
Well at first, before I was arrested I really lived a very horrible and terrible life full of regret and negativity that affected both me and my life in many negative ways. I was feeling very lost, unsure and bad about everything. It felt like I was a total disappointment to myself and my family, without a source of hope, not thinking that I’ll ever be able to see the light of life or have a bright future. Outside I heard about what happens in prison and what happened to others. At first I was scared and unsure about what I’ve heard, not thinking that its all part and parcel of life until now. I got involved in many activities that take up some time, seeking recognition and happiness. But at the end of the day I am all alone, on my own and very unhappy. Not considering that happiness is just a state of mind in the reach of everyone who takes that time to be kind. That when I started attending school and as many programmes as I could. That’s when and where I learnt that I should accept the things I cannot change, and change the things I still can. That everything is possible, especially things you want to achieve. It all depends on yourself to work on it, to stay focused and be positive. I also learnt that there’s more than enough hope in life. Because for me being in prison now is a true blessing in disguise. As well as the fact that prison is not the end of the world. Prison is not for me or for anyone else for that matter but I took all these negative thoughts and things and changed it to be a positive thing by using this time to do positive things to keep me busy while serving my sentence. -Tauriq
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riting Things Learnt Actually being in prison is such a huge experience for us, because we’ve got to learn things we didn’t even know from the outside. Or have interest in doing on the outside. Actually there is a lot of stuff, for example learning how to design clothes the way you want it to be. That is a very huge experience. We even get a chance to involve our self in sports and even school programmes we didn’t do on the outside. You also get to meet different races and people speaking different languages, and you learn different languages like Afrikaans, Sotho and Swahili. You meet people from foreign countries who have skills in a lot of stuff. They get to teach you things like how to fix phones and to stick shoes. You got to learn how to balance your diet daily, because in prison you get to eat by time a certain amount of food. So you need to balance your diet if you want your food to last you for the whole day. -Wali and Max
I r o n ing my clothes without an iron because it’s not allowed in prison. Step 1: Take your pants and your shirt. Fold it straight. Step 2: Put it under the mattress. Step 3: Sleep on it for 6 to 8 hours and it will be ironed. -Siyabulela and Tsepo
There was a time I was in the same room with one and all the time he was sewing clothes. The clothes given by prison are plain. So we began to sew pockets and put styles in our clothes. How to speak other languages. Here in prison you get different cultures. So Sesman and Letsie, we are Xhosa and Sotho. We learn how to communicate with other cultures. We learnt hand skills like welding and painting. At the welding class we learnt how to make tables, chairs and also gates. At the painting class we learn how to paint cartoons and members of prison. -Siyabulela and Tsepo
Since I have been in prison I learnt many things. In prison I attended the life skills programme. It has played a big role in my life because in prison you meet positive and negative people. It’s up to you if you want to do negative or positive things. And I learnt how to respect other people because when I was outside I didn’t know how to respect other people. Playing sports helps me a lot in learning how to work with other people. And how to communicate. In prison you get a second chance to attend school. That helps me to speak other languages and read. -Zuko and Siyabonga
- When your family told you about something wrong, I respect. - When we are in the class room we respect each other. - We learn how to make friendships in our section, because some of us stress in the rooms. - The way we treat each other is to give advice. - It’s like when we are doing something in a group, we support each other. When someone comes with an idea we agree and support. - To keep myself healthy every month I would like to go to the hospital. - In prison we learn about things we did outside. Like drugs. We learn these things in the participation of this programme. We give advice to the people who are outside. Don’t do a crime because it doesn’t get paid. We would like to tell you guys please go to school. School is a key to success. And learn to become something in the future. We didn’t go to school. Do not steal something from someone. You will end up in prison. On those people who are shooting each other with guns. stop those things. Crime doesn’t pay. Those people who are outside, please use condoms to fight aids, because aids is killing our young brothers and sisters. - Thandolwethu and Themba
-Thabang INSIDEOUT
-Themba
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The Key
he key is used in negative ways and positive ways. The key can be used to lock up your house or money. They are for safety. The key can be used for locking up people in prison. Animals in zoos. 1990 Nelson Mandela was a free man from the key. That opened many opportunities. -Siyabulela
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The keys frustrate me because I don’t know what to expect next. E.g. a surprise search is something that happens often, the unpacking and repacking of our personal goods. What I think the key really does, is that it affects our life due to it playing a powerful mind game. But only a mindful person would understand the mindful game. The more sophisticated the player, the more sophisticated the game. -Sulamaan
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I think the key is not right by my side. Because the key stops my life. As a human being you have human rights, but the key takes that away. The key makes me starborn and it makes me feel I can cry. It’s driving my life. -Lizo
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The first time I came to prison I think that I’m still in control of my self. But as time goes by I realise that I’m no longer in control of myself. What controls my life and what frustrates me, I realise is only one thing. It’s the key. It’s very hard for me to accept that every day someone has to lock me up at a certain time. Who tells me when I have to eat or sleep. But one thing I still remember, there is hope and I should never give up. -Theodore
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The first time I committed a crime I didn’t know that a key could rule my life. But as I entered prison I saw that the keys controls everybody’s life. I realise that I was no longer at my mother’s house where I could do what I wanted to do. But prison is not your mother’s house. You must do what you do every day. You must wait for a key. To eat, to exercise. That’s the frustrating thing I have in my life. -Craig
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The keys
By Ashwin
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very time I hear the sound of the keys in prison I think they are going to open the door. But at the meantime I’m full of stress about my case and because of the other boys in the room. When I hear the keys it’s like they have the keys to my life, to my freedom. They can either lock me in or let me out, and when I hear the keys, I don’t know. When I get up in the morning, we clean, we eat... We all live together like a family in the room. When we finish eating we can make a phone call. We can speak a bit with our family. Then I hear the keys again and I know my time is short for what I want to do. Someone else is in charge of my life. From the time I went to court and got chained up for the first time, that was the first time I heard the keys. I felt like a dog, chained up, with no freedom. When I hear the keys for the last time I will know that I am free and in control of my life. I can focus on the goal I want to gain when I’m outside, and support my family.
The frustration of the key
By Xolisa
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eing in prison is a stress enough. Living your life away from your loved ones is another stress. And to live your life knowing that there’s someone who gets paid just to lock you up. Knowing that early in the morning maybe you’re still dreaming about something good. Then you are disrupted by the frustrating sound of the key. And you have no choice but to wake up and just forget about your sweet dream. Because it’s time for these people to count you. Sometimes you feel like going to the hospital, but you can’t because you’re locked up behind these boring bars. Sometimes you have a phone card but can’t make a call because you are locked up behind these boring bars. I just hate living my life stuck in one place. Having dreams that you know won’t come true. It’s because of the stressing, boring, frustrating sound of the key.
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Photographs by Julia Merrett
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-Simon
-Thandolwethu
At the reception you take off your clothes and give them to the person who will give you your prison uniform. Jeans, made of denim. Those denim jeans are your prison uniform. But they look a bit boring when they are just blue. And it’s also boring to look like everyone in Pollsmoor. So with the help of a needle, sometimes we make our own needle. Then with these blankets we get in Pollsmoor we carefully take out the cotton. And with these pens we get from Young in Prison we draw our own designs. Then we start sewing, making our own designs. Changing these denims into our own styles. As you can see these are different designs. THESE ARE OUR DIFFERENT PRISON DESIGNS! -Xolisa
-Xolisa
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-Bulelani
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Harmful things harm me
Animals round me now
Run away rabbit -Bulelani
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-Vuyani
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-Thabang
-Vogan
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King of monkey King of crooks King of fools find in it tricky trying to read books -Moenier
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page 11 -Themba
tory is about three friends coming from different families growing up in s the same township. But they have different dreamz. As they grow up, things change. Keep reading to see how things change! This is Tom coming from a rich family growing up in a township with his friends. He is a special kid who loves to play with guns!
by Xolisa
this
This is Jabu coming from a poor family. Jabu has dreamz of becoming a clothing designer when he finishes school.
This is Sbu coming from a very poor family and iving with his mum and step father. He has dreamz of making it in the music industry one day!
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Poetry “WE ALL CRAZYzy” When you take a look at it clearly you will see that we’re all crazy! Some of us are crazy in drugs and some are crazy in crime! Some are crazy in love etc. The list goes on. We can all have the same colour! We can look like each other but deep inside we will never be the same. Because we come from different places some of us grew up believing each and every meal is a blessing. It’s me Ex behind these prison boring bars. -Ex
PROSTITUTE GIRL As I go back in the day I think about a girl I met back in high school. She used to sing so good in our choir! It was like her voice mixed with a fire Few years connected to electric wires! later I heard that girl She used to sing so good. is flipping! See her voice was like Whitney Houston, When I ask my friends they look Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. around and laugh. That’s when I said to my self one But they told me she was crazy in drugs! day this girl will be a star! It was so sad to know that was the end of She’ll be a star, live in big cities, her life! expensive houses Next thing I knew she was sexing for drugs. and drive fancy cars. Hanging around with thugs This girl was very beautiful! and gangsters who shoot guns. Next thing I new she was arrested, Me and my boys sitting around the all I can say is god bless corner prostitute girl! we used to say this girl is rocking! by Xolisa We used to talk about her brown beautiful eyes. And her blond hair, we used to call her Blondy.
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DREAMS As I take a closer look at my life I take my paper and my pen and start to write Decorate all my words and make a rhyme Wish you can see me when I scream in my dreams every night Father I’m begging you, forgive me, the wrongs in my life For I know every second I breathe I create so many sins I’ve been a stress to mum Broken so many hearts with the wrongs I did Wish god can take me back in time So I can be with the ones I love again I’m getting so sick so tired of lifting my arms to dry my daily tears Living my life in pain wishing one day Jesus will find a way Send me his angels to me to take away My darker days and bring me brighter days It’s so funny sometimes I pray He will give me wings so one day I can fly away In it’s dreams human beings vision things as they live But believe me we’re having dreams that we wish could come to life
Life is a war for me Today, I wake up behind bars Where my life is controlled by keys Where my life is stuck My dreams are gone Outside, life is moving on I’m stuck in a hole There is no way to run First it was fun Now I’m sorry For my own doings The world has turned against me I feel so weak and scared My heart is in pain My soul is full of evil My soul is hurt Can someone rescue me My sins are killing me I am dying here The evil has caught me Can someone please help me Please... Donoven
But then we’d truly see dreams
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up lf g in yse ing y d m n m e I up d e elp d b n h n g in gs a can th a s es dru I tru st m s ith but he one a w w on g t h e s n lif pri elli in by t
I did do mistake but my family its incarage me. because my family he dont want to see me. In This Place again ...
by Candice, Liezle, Tania, Anne-Marie, Daniella, Zinile, Ignashia, Naeefa, Michelle, Irma-Joy, Phumla, Elmarika, Liezel, Alicia, Berenice page 16
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. out I o g I When es my g n a h c really side t u o Life
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. I was
doing wrong. Things that I’m
not proud of. But ther are friends
who understand and love and help me.
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. . I become suspect and steal to do drugs. But I want not doing anymore when I’m going out of this place. That why I pray evry day.
I destroyed my Life with drugs.....But I still got my family’s support ......
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Question 1: I’m in prison and I don’t have a certificate or ID. I don’t know who can help me with this. –Unnamed
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Question 3: I can’t stop breaking into houses and I can’t be the child my mother desires me to be. What must I do? –Housebreaker
2 Question 2: I don’t know where my mother is and I don’t know her really. That’s why I’m staying at a drug house. How can I stay away from there and get to know who and where my mother is? –Motherless
Question 4: My family is very upset about me. They drink a lot. My brother is very unhappy about this, because I’m not on the outside like he is. I never lost my family. We were very close and proud of each other. I hope my family comes to me. –Alone
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Question 5: I’ve got two children that I want to make proud one day, once I am released. I’ve got three cases that I have to finish. But my inmates make it difficult for me because I’m short-tempered. I already stabbed two people almost to death, one of them is paralysed. It brought me nowhere. Just now I had two fights in one day, and I didn’t defend myself in either of the situations. I normally would always do that, but I want to be a better person. I’ve been failing my children for too long now. But I’m trying to do my best to not get into a fight. I don’t know what to do. –Short tempered
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Question 6: I am 19 years old. I have a mother who is 41 years old. She uses tik. I don’t like it because I know what it does to people. I still have 2 small brothers who look up to her. –Dissapointed
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Question 4: I got involved with gangsterism at the age of 14, reason being a friend of me was shot dead. I started killing people and selling drugs. I met all kinds of people along the way. The types who lie, cheat and deceive best. Friends betray. I find it difficult to trust people. I never had a girlfriend after the 8 years I got involved. I’m a little scared to open up to someone. I don’t know if that’s normal, and I don’t know what to do. –Closed in
Help Distressed I have a brother and two sisters. We have different fathers, my youngest sister shares my same father. None of us grew up with our mother. Still now, no one stays at her place because she doesn’t care about us. My mother left my brother in Johannesburg, so my sisters don’t know our brother. I haven’t heard from him since 1998. My mother doesn’t want to visit my brother. I need help please, because I don’t know what came of mother. page 20
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Answer 1: Book an appointment to go to the social worker so they can help you. If you have family you can ask them to go to Home Affairs for you.
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Answer 3: Start off with the reason why you can’t stop breaking in. If you have the will to quit, you can do it. Work on getting a clean sheet with your mother. Be open and honest to her. Show your real self so your mom will get to know and love you better. Then she might be able to support you with your current problems.
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2 Answer 2: Try to go and find your mother just to get the truth. Leave the drug house and the drugs, and find another place of safety. Put your pride in your pocket and go to your family. Ask for their forgiveness and for them to help you. Show mom that you have changed. Tell them that you need advice.
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Answer 4: Do not lose hope. Ask your family to try and be an example to you. If they drink a lot it can make you feel like no one cares about you, because everyone is doing what they want themselves. Try to be strong with your brother, and convince your family that they’re still role models fore you. Even in prison.
Answer 5: Have courage in yourself. Realise that walking away from a fight is not a coward’s choice, but a wise one’s, because you take responsibility. Try to be smarter than the people that pick on you by not fighting them like they want you to. Don’t let other people control your life. Go and see the social worker and tell her about the fact that you feel so angry and frustrated inside.
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Answer 6: You can get a social worker for help. When you get out you should also spend more time with your mother, and try to make clear to her why you don’t want her to use drugs. Answer 7: Your situation is very understandable. Practise your trust by finding good friends. People who like you for who you are, not for what you do. Remember, if people trust you you can trust them as well. Be open and honest.
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nswer Distressed
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by Gertrude, Brenda, Andiswa, Phumla, Bongiwe, Zintle
horoscope Aries The feeling is fire. Remember to respect yourself as you love yourself. Don’t do anything that will damage your body Taurus The feeling is earth. It is also heavy. You might get in a difficult situation, but think before you react, otherwise you might make things worse. Gemini the feeling is air. It is also light. Now is the time for new responsibilities. Think about what you need to do in order to fix your mistakes.
Leo The feeling is fire again. You have to make some plans to get your life on track. It’s important to stick to your plans. Libra The feeling is air. You have so much to offer in this world. Use your skills to motivate others. Sagittarius The feeling is fire. Show respect to other people, and that will develop in a good loving friendship. Aquarius The feeling of air is light. You are heading for a peaceful time. Don’t lose hope, keep on dreaming.
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Cancer The feeling is water. It is smooth. Take the opportunity to express your love to someone else. If you do this you will get love in return.
Virgo The feeling is earth. Don’t give up, you need to take action in your life. And you will have new opportunities come your way. Scorpio The feeling is water. It is time to decide what we want in life. So, get closer to your goals, so it is time to prepare yourself.
Capricorn The feeling is earth, and it’s heavy. It’s time to make some changes in your life. And don’t forget, if you change everybody will look up.
Pisces The feeling is water. Sometimes you can’t deal with everything by yourself, so be open with each other. And you will find the answers to your problems.
PRISON SPORTS NEWS
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n the 6th of October 2009 there was a soccer match with Man United (Hi6) vs Arsenal (Medium B). It was a hard and interesting match. Man United was the one who lead the game with one goal in the net. Then Arsenal came back with two goals by Themba. Man I had never seen such a goal by Zuko from the centre line and it was Man United time-ended 2-2. The boys needed a break. The boys came back on the field with happy faces. The whistle went off. Man United had the ball for 5 min. Then Arsenal shows them how the ball is played on the field, with a goal by Simon. 3-2 was the score. Arsenal leads.
The Man United was under pressure but I tell you, miracles happen. Vermaelen scored miraculous goal. 3-3 was the score. The match ended. The boys were all convinced with the match. On the 7 october 2009. H section vs F section. It was a wild and fun game. F section took the lead by scoring a goal. The game began to be warm. H section came back with a super goal by Lntu MDA. 10 Minutes after that the ref blew the whistle. F section started second half. Tried the best. A scored a goal, H section pushed hard and made sure that they could not lose so they put the ball in back of the net. The score was 2-2. The boys had a great match. Well done to them! by Siyabulela
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solution on the back page
by Mbulelo and Vuyani
WORD SEARCH: Instructions Each word on the list is hidden amongst the letters. The word could run in any direction even backwards. When you find a word, circle it. RACE ADDICT PAPER JUSTICE GO OBAMA NEWS SEE RWANDA BREAK BIKO DATE ARTISTIC BOOK MIND USA VISION GUARD SONG LIMIT page 24
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I am a hero I save people from drugs in my community -Mbulelo