SEBOKENG. – The recent launch of the ‘Restotation of a man’ by founder, Andries Hlalele was an eye opener. The event was hosted by the Holy Pentecostal Project at the Zone 14 Community Hall in Sebokeng. Being the keynote speaker, Hlalele based his experience as an ex-offender on how he wasted an entire fifteen years behind bars. Hlalele said that drugs and substance abuse is a real threat that must not be taken lightly. “Rehabilitation centres should provide people with tools on how to change their lives and deal with their problems.” Hlalele said this as encouragement to anyone suffering from substance abuse. Hlalele further said that he has learned a lesson after spending most of his life behind bars. “Fifteen years behind bars was a life in hell. Thanks to God who gave me a second chance to recover and see life with better and different eyes. I went back to my father to beg for forgiveness,” he said. He said that parents should stop calling their children names and instead, assist them to live a better life. “Take up the spear, and help to change our community,” he concluded. Ntswaki Maduna from People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), said that everyone has a responsibility on any action taken. “Some relationships are very bad. As the perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence, we need to say no to parole, no to a victim offender dialogue.”