Former drug mule beads a new life after prison – Groutville

When Nelly Mbonambi was arrested for drug smuggling at OR Tambo International Airport in 2008, she thought it was the end of her life.

Little did she know that it was actually the beginning of her beadwork and decorating business.

The Charlottedale (Groutville) resident said she was drawn into the narcotics world when a friend introduced her to a Nigerian man who offered her a job as a drug mule. She was just 17 at the time.

She used to travel the length and breadth of South Africa and later began travelling internationally to countries like Brazil and Italy where she bought drugs and brought them back home.

“I realised I was making big money for that man and since I knew all the channels and his business partners, I resigned and continued the business on my own. I was making lots of money,” said the now 43-year-old Mbonambi.

Mbonambi said she had a ‘connection’ at the airport – a police officer who would collect her bags loaded with drugs and take them through the inspection point. They would later meet at a specific hotel where she would pay the officer in exchange for her bags.

This pattern continued for several years until one day, she arrived at OR Tambo on a flight from Brazil and the police officer was not there.

“I tried calling but I could not get hold of him. I stood there until other policemen became suspicious.

“My bags were searched and I was arrested. All the money I had was frozen and I lost everything. I spent four years waiting for the trial and I was later sentenced to eight years in jail.”

She said the first thing you get when you arrive in prison is a slap and a kick.

“Even the police tell you that you must be prepared to be assaulted by other prisoners. Believe me, no one wants to be there. It is not a place you get used to. We used to eat only twice a day and our supper was at 2pm. If I saw a plane or a bird flying, it was a good day because I hardly got to see the sky.”

The only good thing about that dark time was the old beadmaker she met while in prison who sparked a new talent in her.

“The woman was always busy with beads, making very nice jewellery. I used to watch her and I ended up joining her. We became friends and we made traditional attire out of beads. My love for decorating started and whenever there was a function, I would use toilet paper, ribbons and anything I could find to decorate our cell. Prison guards used to be very impressed with my work.”

Her grueling time in prison unexpectedly ended when she got early parole in 2016 for good behaviour.

“I could not sleep the night after they told me I would be released and I kept pinching myself to make sure it was reality. I will never forget the day I could go home.”

Now, she makes beaded jewellery and accessories for a living and has joined the non-profit organisation based in Shakaville called Izwi Lothando.

“Together with other ex-offenders we go to schools and community events raising awareness about crime and the consequences of having a criminal record.”

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