Ex-offender pens triumphs and tragedies
Ex-offender and newly established author is now in pursuit of sharing some of his experiences and to help others recognize their way to victory.
Fifty-eight-year-old Ravi Naidoo has risen above traumatic experiences and wants to help people from all walks of life to recognise their way to victory.
The Brackendowns resident and new author has penned his life experiences and some of his painful secrets in a recently published book, Destined to Conquer.
This is the true life story of a violent young man who lived mostly for himself in pursuit of money and pleasure.
That was until the day he led a gang that went on a rampage and murdered, raped and robbed their victims.
At 23, he stood before a judge who said, “Give me one reason why I must not kill you”.
“Being arrogant and unrepentant of my actions, I told the judge, ‘I’ve never begged in my life and I’m not going to start now. You can’t kill people who kill people to show that killing is wrong’.
“The judge then sentenced me to death and 38 years imprisonment. Crime doesn’t pay. I nearly paid with my life,” explained Ravi.
He said he was locked up and forgotten in a condemned cell, but not before they measured his neck, height and weight in preparation for the hangman.
His dreams of a future were shattered and he found himself lonely and desperate. Then he underwent a spiritual reawakening as the former gang leader received salvation after 18 years in prison.
‘Not the end’
The book entails prison insights, his encounter with God and heartwarming testimonies.
Ravi said he wanted to inspire people, realising that no matter the circumstances, it is not the end of the road and that eventually, the day will dawn.
“Gangs and drug dealing are not all glamorous, prison life is not what the movies show people. When I changed my life, I started to study. I have a diploma in business management, a diploma in teaching, in theology and a national certificate in electrical engineering and I also studied catering,” he said.
He now offers ex-offenders empowerment skills such as catering, home decoration and furniture production.
Working hand-in-hand with Salvation Foundation and other local charities, he hosts charity programmes and talks to rehabs, schools and congregations.
He will be spearheading the Ex-offenders Ministry Conference in Covenant Christian Centre in Eden Park from September 2 to 4.
A copy of his book costs R350 and is available on Amazon.com, Smashwords and Kindle Store.
To order, contact Naidoo on 066 444 5980 or Ryan Ellapan on 072 822 6106.
ALSO READ: Former ex-offender changes lives
