TSHAKHUMA - A reformed criminal from the rural village of Tshakhuma near Thohoyandou is an icon of all South African prisoners and the local community by proving that there is still life, courage and hope after serving a long prison sentence.

Ramaano Mulangaphuma (25) was a Grade 9 dropout when he was jailed, but today he boasts two certificates and he is also completing his Grade 12 this year. Though he does not have the money to study further, he is confident that he will proceed to register for an LLB degree at the University of Venda next year.

He was convicted of several criminal offences, which include armed robbery, car theft, culpable homicide, assault and driving without a licence. He was released on strict parole conditions after staying in jail for five years - but instead of coming back a useless man, Ramaano worked hard in prison and he is the proud holder of a Phase 3 Plumbing certificate and an achievement certificate from his former prison soccer team, Vuwani Swallows FC.

After his release on August 31 this year, Ramaano has been engaged in crime awareness campaigns in a bid to teach the youth not to engage themselves in criminal activities like he did.

“Though some people still doubt my testimony, I want to put it straight through Mirror that I will never engage myself in criminal activities again, because I now know that it is unacceptable and against humanity. I want to set the record straight that crime does not pay and I urge my younger brothers to take education seriously instead of doing things that will leave them behind bars. Other inmates thought I was daydreaming when I told them that I wanted to study to improve my life, but I am now happy because I have taken a step further, to improve my life. Education is the key and I want to make a significant contribution to the development of the lives of my community, instead of doing crime. Some people can stay in jail for more than 10 years without doing anything that could improve their lives. I want to encourage other prisoners to acquire an education so that they may be useful to the community when they are released.”

A member of the Christian Worship Centre Church, Ramaano got the thumbs up from the community when he went on air on SABC radio (Phalaphala FM) last Friday in a bid to convince the community that he is now a changed man and to discourage community members from engaging themselves in criminal activities.

He further said he has learnt different plumbing skills in prison, but he is unable to practice some of them at home because of a lack of working equipment. “While I was in prison, I learnt many plumbing skills which included geyser installation, sink installation, below-ground drainage installation, and the general installation and maintenance of a variety of plumbing material.”

Ramaano said he needs financial assistance to realize his dream of becoming a lawyer one day. “I studied law informally at the prison and I want to further my studies in that field. I urge those who can assist me with the finance for studying to do so because I want to work for the community after completing my degree.”

He said he is also prepared to start a family with his sweetheart, Nokuthula Sibanda, who has also been in prison since 1996, but she is due to be released next year. A brilliant soccer player, Ramaano said he is prepared to go for trials with any team (even those in the PSL) if they are interested in his services.

Ramaano’s mother, Marandela Mulangaphuma (61) said she appreciates her son’s wise decision to turn his back on crime and concentrate on community building.

“I prayed day and night when he was in prison that he must one day see the right way of life. But I am happy because God has answered my prayers - but I also pray that he gets a job so that he could help in supporting my large family, as I am unemployed.”