Young people and adults from the streets face difficult circumstances and turn to the KwaSizabantu Mission, seeking refuge and salvation. They seek help for different reasons and various addictions. Many of these help-seekers have been rejected by their families, friends, and society.
THAMSANQA MPANZA is 44 years old. Once a runaway and wanted by the police for serious crimes, he is finally at peace with himself and a free man. For the first time in his life, he feels loved and appreciated. He says he is no longer a criminal since he met Jesus at KwaSizabantu in 2019.
His previous life is marked by drugs, alcohol, witchcraft, ancestor worship, muti to enhance his criminal activities, graveyard visits, very evil spirits, and various crimes. However, since his path crossed with the Mission, he got rid of it all.
“I had 57 cases against me, but I am now cleared from them all and a free man for the first time since I started with my crimes as a youngster. I have only the people of KwaSizabantu to thank for that. In many cases, the police accused me of doing the crime. I was not even there when the crime took place. I was at KwaSizabantu, but they blamed me for the crimes. KwaSizabantu helped me to set the record straight.
“Prison did not transform me. I was selling drugs and stabbing people in prison. I was regarded as a dangerous criminal, and I was also a gang leader in prison – an influential leader, a big man. My prison name was ‘Snogies’ (referring to his strength and determination). The police wanted to kill me because I was shooting them. One day, I was shot through my back, and the bullet went out to the front. My friend got arrested. After I left the hospital, I heard the police were looking for me.”
Thamsanqa mentions that he held a grudge against his mother because, according to him, she did not treat him well. He no longer holds on to the grudge, but it grew into sadness because he and his mother did not have the opportunity to mend their relationship.
READ THE FULL STORY IN THE DEVOTED SPECIAL EDITION: www.devotedmag.co.za
Image credits: All pictures provided by KwaSizabantu
