Ex-offenders call for an end to crime in Gugulethu

On Saturday, Godla joined other members of the organisation as they marched through a busy street in Gugulethu to celebrate Human Rights Day. The group sang and held up posters which read: ‘Give us hugs not drugs’ and ‘Say no to gangsterism’.

Realistic was started in 2004 by a former correctional services officer, Solomon Madikane, in partnership with the National Prosecution Authority after he saw a need for a “support and bridging” programme for ex-offenders.

The organisation works with youths aged between 16 and 35, with special focus on the reintegration of ex-offenders, some of whom were sent to the programme by the courts.

“Before I came to Realistic, people in the street knew me as ‘Fire’. Some people still call me that because they knew I stole cars and robbed people with a gun. I even robbed my own parents to buy drugs because I never wanted to go and work,” Godla recalled.

He said it was important for people in the community to see him join the march.

“I’ve changed my friends. I’ve stopped visiting the places where I knew I would find trouble and I joined a church. People need to know they can get out of that life,” he said.

Another Realistic member, Luthando Ngxukuma, 26, who lives in Nyanga, joined the programme in June last year after he saw his friend stabbed to death by the person they were in the process of robbing.

“My friend died right there. I looked at him laying there and I told myself that I need to stop this life. I also wanted help with my drug problem, so I went to speak to a social worker at the centre in Nyanya and she referred me to Realistic. I’ve been clean ever since. The support group helps a lot because we motivate each other,” he said.

Ngxukuma currently works at a furniture store in Ottery and attends night school.

“I want to study law one day and help people in the community,” he said.

Solomon Madikane, founder and director at Realistic, said the march was to make youths in the community aware of the organisation.

“They need to know that there is a place they can come for help. We are also here to take a stand for the things we believe in, which is why we have the younger [Gugulethu] scouts group joining us,” he said.

Madikane said the organisation currently had five social workers and a number of facilitators.

“In one year, we have about 120 people coming through our six-month programmes. We facilitate mediation and reintegration. We also offer counselling and life-skills camps. We receive funding from [the Department of] Social Development, but we also rely on different funders like the Open Society [Foundation],” he said.

He said Realistic also oversaw programmes in schools identified for early intervention in other areas, including Philippi, Athlone and Khayelitsha.