ONGWEDIVA – A recently released criminal offender said while he was behind bars, he managed to acquire the two most important ingredients for a successful reentry into society; an education and a job.
“Being drunk at all times was part of my daily routine, my life was miserable, alcohol almost destroyed my future but fortunately, the correctional facility turned my problem situation into an opportunity.
These are the words of recently released Risto Mbangula, a young ex-offender who was sentenced to four years imprisonment on fraud charges at Evaristus Shikongo Correctional facility, outside Tsumeb, Oshikoto region.
Mbangula may surprise some when they hear he believes his future looks bright. He’s optimistic, appreciative and confident.
That’s because while he was behind bars, he had worked to acquire skills so he can work upon his release.
“On my last days inside, I tied up my boots and hit the ground running,” said Mbangula. He had discovered a passion for welding in prison.
Mbangula was sentenced for a crime he committed nine years ago. He served two years of his sentence and was released last month on parole.
“It is unfortunate that the Namibian justice system is slow and at times courts take too long to finalise cases. This serves as an indirect punishment as going to court now and then becomes financially and psychologically draining,” stressed Mbangula.
He narrated that, prison life dragged him off the streets. He had given up on life. It was normal for him to drink every day. He used to walk the streets drunk regardless of the time of day.
“Corrections are actually not as bad as we all think, depending on your mindset and if you have accepted mistakes. While in the correctional facility, I turned my problem situation into an opportunity. I have accepted everything because I do believe good and bad are just within the same circle,” he said.
He said when he was sentenced to four years, he was scared, at that moment he thought his life had just reached a cul-de-sac, he lost hope, and gave up on life.
He then realised life is everywhere and encouraged himself.
“Everything that has a beginning has an end,” as my uncle Tommy Kashala like to say. He did not directly say it in regards to my situation, but this time I needed anything to get me through so his words coincidently worked for me,” he added.
Mbangula said after he was assessed, he applied to go work at metal and fabrication within the correctional facility, as part of his rehabilitation.
He started as soon as his application was processed. He said since he did not have any knowledge of welding, it took him a month or two to master some of the techniques.
“As time passed and with the assistance of correctional officers, specifically commissioner Lisias Primus (we called him Jack Hammer for his passion and outstanding knowledge in the work department) and Samuel Shitana.
“May God bless them! I acquired the knowledge and skills needed to work in that workshop,” said Mbangula.
He stated that when he was not at work or at rehabilitation programmes, he is in the library reading, writing and at times teaching other offenders how to write their names.
‘’While incarcerated, I wrote my first book which I’m now typing. Titled, ‘The Good Side in Everything’, I wrote about Gwamkukutu’s wisdom, Gwamkukutu is my grandmother. I spoke about our norms, believes and the values of our society,’’ he said.
Mbangula also indicated that in correctional facilities, there are programmes to rehabilitate offenders, the most effective programme, according to him is Thinking and Living Skills (TLS).
“I was fortunate to attend this psycho-social support programme for six months. They taught us how to change our thinking from anti-social to pro-social, problem solving, finding other alternatives to our problems and most importantly, to stop and think, just to mention a few,” he added.
He further said if he had the knowledge and skills that he has acquired in this programme, he would have been better in terms of responding to and handling situations instead of resorting to fraud.
He also said he wish the government could introduce psychology in primary and secondary schools as this leads to heightened social-emotional understanding.
“Students will learn to understand their actions, strengthen the foundation for sound relationships, and develop empathy for others through learning about human behaviour and patterns.
“It also allows learners to identify with content relating to patterns of development and begin to realise they are not the only ones struggling with issues, my book tackled some of these misfortunes,” Mbangula advised.
Mbangula said although he has started with his project, he doesn’t have enough materials to complete it.
“I would welcome and appreciate support to grow my metal and fabrication workshop, I make use of a space at a family house in Oneshila, Oshakati and also to publish my book,” he said.
Another ex-offender, Sakaria Niivongo who was sentenced to seven years in prison, said these programmes offered by correctional facilities, changed his life and turned him into a good man.
“I was a bad boy, I did not care about life. I had no future. I would not feel good if a day passes by without committing a crime. These programmes really helped me,” he said.
He added that he established a vegetable garden at his village in Omusati region, with the knowledge he acquired through these programmes.
Mbangula can be reached at: +264815507282 E-mail: ristonenga@gmail.com Facebook and Instagram: Risto Mbangula. – vkaapanda@nepc.com.na