By Rivonia Naidu
Ex-criminals who turned over a new leaf and committed their lives to the performing arts on Wednesday left Chatsworth school pupils with new thoughts on life.
Performing at the Chatsworth Youth Centre, the eight men, some of whom were imprisoned at Westville prison, enacted their thought-provoking play Just Don't.
After a successful run of their production in the United Kingdom, Mlungisi Mkhize, Siyabonga Meyiwa, Mfanafuthi Mzolo, Lucky Simayile, Vumani Khumalo, Sthembiso Gumede, Wiseman Shabalala and Thembinkosi Buthelezi, have returned to SA to work and share their experiences with young people in the hope of motivating them to stay clear of crime.
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Their honest and convincing production is based on their real-life experiences and is a portrayal of prison life - from dishonest wardens to acts of sodomy and HIV and Aids.
Speaking to the Daily News on Wednesday, they said the aim of the play was to raise awareness about crime, drugs, thuggery and the consequences of committing crime.
"It's easy for people to continuously say 'don't do crime', but we want to show people, especially youngsters, that it is not worth it at the end of the day," said Meyiwa.
Simayile said that "being in prison is very hard and it is no easy life".
The group, who reside in KwaMashu, said they believed in the work because they have seen the difference it makes.
"After watching our production, people come back to us and say we've helped them and they stopped committing crime because of our positiveness. I believe we can change the country crime rate," he said.
Pupils said the play was "very helpful and insightful".
Principal of Chatsworth Secondary, Nundlall Rabilal said if the play influenced 10 percent of pupils present, it would help significantly.
"Drug addiction and crime is rife in our community and we need projects like these to reach out to the children and encourage them to take a better path in life," he said.
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This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on July 27, 2006
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