Focus on Youth Month: An iron pen for the greedy kid
Part 3 of the epic and true local prison stories of crime committed by youth.
The News recently paid a visit to the Krugersdorp Correctional Services to interview some of the inmates, with a special focus on Youth Month. Two murderers and an armed gang member who robbed numerous homes and people were interviewed, and since all three of them had such unique stories to tell, the News has decided to publish them as a three-part series. These inmates would like to send a special message to today’s youth about the consequences of their actions, especially when committing violent crimes.
In Part 2, the News spoke to Thulani Mbanjwa who was found guilty of stabbing a man to death.
Read Part 2 here: Focus on Youth: The young drunk murderer
But what about the kid from the ‘burbs who just wanted more? Next the News interviewed a greedy teenager who was friends with the wrong kind of people …
Part 3: An iron pen for the greedy kid
Kenneth Twala was the kid from the suburbs who had it all, but lost it due to greed. Now he wants to warn other kids not to follow in his footsteps.
Kenneth had some bad friends and was caught robbing people. He was arrested and found guilty of his crimes, and his friends are long gone. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved being a part of a friend group and loved my friends, but at one point we never did any good,” said Kenneth.
“We had little jobs here and there and only stole phones or wallets to make a few extra bucks for nice shoes. We were always trying to get a little extra cash. But then, I got greedy. I wanted more and more, and nothing was ever enough for me. And to top it all off, I was aggressive and arrogant.”
It’s this aggressiveness that got Kenneth into a lot of trouble.
“There wasn’t a single day that I wasn’t in a fight with someone. I used to walk around looking for trouble and finding it everywhere.”
He was easily influenced by the friends he had and knew that he wasn’t focusing on himself, or the things he could do with his life.
“I tested the law one too many times, and look where it got me.”
Kenneth has spent more or less a year in prison since his last day in court, and is taking the opportunity to get to know himself.
“I see prison as an opportunity and a second chance; I was taken out of those circumstances and given a chance to change. I’m not saying this is a wonderful place – I have to keep a sharp eye out, ask permission to do simple things, and I miss so many of the things outside, but it’s given me clarity about how precious my freedom is. I did crime to prove a point, and now that point seems pointless.”
He is one of the model inmates of the prison and has not been involved in a single fight since his first day behind bars.
“I’ve learnt self-control, I’m not easily influenced like I was before, and I’ve had time to focus on myself, something I should have done when I was a kid.”
His advice to the youth:
“Don’t for one second think that the law doesn’t do its work. Don’t for one second think that it’s fun in here. Focus on your education and flippen stay in school. There’s no other way of staying out of here. Also pick your role models carefully. Make sure you don’t get caught up in your group’s troubles; you’ll end up miles away from them, alone and behind a cold closed door. There’s always a solution for whatever trouble you’re in. The better you understand yourself, the better off you are able to be.”
What will he do after prison?
Kenneth is hoping to get a degree after he has served his time. He wants to become a life-coach for kids to keep them from ending up the way he did. He wants to do things differently.
“I want to spend more time at charitable organisations. I can’t give them money, but I can help with whatever else they need. Even if I just lend myself or my hands to them, they’ll be able to use me for good things.”
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
