He was imprisoned at Leeukop Prison for nine years, but today he has begun to show repentance to his community through realistic art.

Lufuno Mafutha (30) of Vleifontein developed the passion for art before he went to jail, but he never gave himself a chance to learn it.

Once in jail, Mafutha developed a change of heart. He began learning various types of art, while at the same time furthering his studies until he obtained his grade 12 certificate.

When he was released in March this year, Mafutha astonished residents of Vleifontein when he produced a portrait of his ward councilor, Cllr Dudley Malete. When he depicted some more common subjects as they actually appeared at the township of Vleifontein, residents stopped looking at him as a criminal.

Residents immediately requested Mafutha to practice his art at the Peace Africa Youth Centre, where he would also be contributing towards youth development.

"When I was growing up, I had a passion for art and it was in prison where I began practising and learning it. Now painting is my life and I think I can enjoy it better at the art gallery. I never considered art as my career, until people at Vleifontein showed interest in my work. People kept on motivating me and encouraging me to keep on doing it," he said.

Mafutha said that young people must know that crime does not pay and should begin to equip themselves with skills. He appealed to the Department of Correctional Services to fast-track the process of rehabilitating former inmates back into the communities.

"A lot of inmates become frustrated the moment they are released when they find that they have nowhere to showcase what they have learnt in prison. Yes, it is true that the department is providing us with skills, but they are not assisting us to get jobs one they release us and they are very much aware that we are skilled," he said.

Mafutha also told Mirror that he had also obtained diplomas in both catering and entrepreneurship while serving his prison term.

Cllr Dudley Malete said that he was extremely happy and proud about Mafutha´s contribution to his community after his release from prison. "We will do everything possible to preserve his skills and we are appealing to people to give him more chance to prove himself," he said.