{"id":6773,"date":"2025-09-12T09:12:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T07:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hconline.co.za\/?p=5687"},"modified":"2025-09-12T09:12:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T07:12:59","slug":"former-inmate-advises-learners-i-lost-my-youth-to-prison-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.highveldchronicle.co.za\/wp64\/former-inmate-advises-learners-i-lost-my-youth-to-prison-walls\/","title":{"rendered":"Former inmate advises learners: \u2018I lost my youth to prison walls\u2019\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>PHOLA<\/strong> \u2013 The Youth Desk Office of Emalahleni Local Municipality, in partnership with different stakeholders hosted an awareness campaign on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 for learners at Mehlwana Secondary School. The day was met with tough truths and renewed hope. programme addressing issues affecting learners, including bullying, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Representatives from the Department of Correctional Services painted a vivid picture of life behind bars. Bheki Mhlambi cautioned learners about the dangers of gangsterism, even highlighting how tattoos can mark affiliations. \u201cPrison is not a place of glamour; it is a place of regret,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His words were reinforced by Dan Tshepo, a former inmate who shared his story of imprisonment for murder and robbery. \u201cI lost my youth to prison walls,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIf I could go back, I would listen to my parents and teachers. Respect them, because they want what is best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jabulile Khubeka from the Department of Social Development, also Secretary of the Emalahleni Drug Action Committee, urged learners to seek help before it was too late. \u201cSubstance abuse fuels crime in our communities,\u201d she explained. \u201cDo not fall for short-term thrills that bring lifelong pain. If you are struggling, raise your hand and we will help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The South African Police Service (SAPS) also contributed to the campaign. Sergeant Sindane said, \u201cBullying is not a small matter. It starts with insults, but it can end in stabbings, gang fights, and even death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She further warned about the link between drugs, alcohol and serious crimes. \u201cWhen you choose violence or drugs, you are choosing prison,\u201d Sindane said. \u201cThink about your future before you act.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding teenage pregnancy, Sithembiso Mtshali from Love Life shared her personal struggles as a young mother. \u201cI thought I was in love, but I was left alone to raise a child,\u201d she said. \u201cI want you to learn from me that being a teen mother is not easy, and it will change your life in ways you cannot imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health professionals Sister Rose and Sister Zindzi from Makause Clinic spoke candidly about contraceptives and safe choices stressing that abstinence remains the most effective method. \u201cDo not risk your future for a few minutes of pleasure,\u201d said Sister Rose. \u201cWe see the pain of young girls who come to us after unsafe abortions. Some even pay R1,000 for illegal pills in this area, and those decisions can cost them their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Community leadership also weighed in. Chief Ndabezitha of Ndzundza Sogutjhe expressed disappointment about the challenges but committed to supporting change. \u201cIt saddens me to hear of drugs, crime and teen pregnancy affecting our children,\u201d he said. \u201cBut together, we can restore hope. Remember, many from this community are now success stories\u2014you too can rise.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PHOLA \u2013 The Youth Desk Office of Emalahleni Local Municipality, in partnership with different stakeholders hosted an awareness campaign on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 for learners at Mehlwana Secondary School. The day was met with tough truths and renewed hope. programme addressing issues affecting learners, including bullying, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.&nbsp; Representatives from the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-news-style"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Former inmate advises learners: \u2018I lost my youth to prison walls\u2019\u00a0 - Highveld Chronicle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.highveldchronicle.co.za\/wp64\/former-inmate-advises-learners-i-lost-my-youth-to-prison-walls\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Former inmate advises learners: \u2018I lost my youth to prison walls\u2019\u00a0 - Highveld Chronicle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"PHOLA \u2013 The Youth Desk Office of Emalahleni Local Municipality, in partnership with different stakeholders hosted an awareness campaign on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 for learners at Mehlwana Secondary School. 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