There’s crime in every country and everyone commits crimes for different reasons. A term you might not be used to hearing is ‘offender’. That is a person who has broken the law in some way.
But these are not all people who are sentenced to jail, some have to pay a fine or do some kind of community service.
Most people don’t understand the repercussions crime has on your life and what you have to go through when you commit one. YouthPaper got a hold of 19-year-old Laina Ndapunikwa Mwatukange. This is her story.
Mwatukange was born and raised in Hanover at Ongwediva. She attended Charles Anderson Primary School and later went to boarding school at Oshigambo High School in the Oshikoto region. “Apart from being smart at school, I also did modelling where I walked away with numerous crowns and sashes at different beauty pageants. I was well-known for my outstanding academic record but worse for being a risk taker.” She said that at some point she started experimenting with drugs, and this caused her to lose her parents’ love.
“I started with cigarettes then kept telling myself I need to try something much stronger. I started doing marijuana and cocaine. I always used to make excuses to the hostel superintendent that I need to go home as I have to go see the doctor and will only come back on Sunday.” Mwatukange revealed that she would do this often to hang out with friends at Ongwediva so that they could go clubbing together. And a family member had to step in.
“My uncle found out what I was doing and took me to a school deep in the village. That’s where I found the worst friends who introduced me to crimes and I ended up charged and convicted of multiple crimes.”
Mwatukange said that being an inmate in a correctional facility is the worst thing to ever happen to her as there is limited movement and few privileges, but still feels grateful that it happened. “I wouldn’t have realised that I needed to change. First, you only need to admit in your heart that ‘yes, I have done wrong and this is the price I have to pay’. That will allow you to overcome challenges and temptation you will encounter when you are doing time.” She believes that being an inmate can be a turning point for those who are headed in the wrong direction in life, which is why she wants to teach the youth that they shouldn’t throw away their lives.
And despite being an offender, she has learnt so much, mostly spiritually. “There were times when I thought I was shut from the presence of my friends and family by the prison walls so I started praying,” she said. “That’s when I found out that the prison walls have opened me to the presence of God. I also learnt that being behind bars is not just a punishment but a lesson that we all learn in order to be law-abiding citizens upon our release.”
Thanks to the rehabilitation programmes, Mwatukange said that she was able to discover her potential and abilities when it comes to social activities. “We share ideas on matters affecting us youth and discuss preventative measures which is really helping, especially when one plans for life after prison. We are also being taught how to generate income through legal means through the Offenders’ Recreations Arts and Craft platform. The project gives hope to talented and skillful offenders and I believe that’s what the rehabilitation office is there for.”
Mwatukange feels that the youth are wasting opportunities and too many are ending up in correctional facilities. “I don’t know about other facilities but Oluno Correctional Facility at Ondangwa has a large number of young inmates. I think if you put together the number of youth in correctional facilities and police holding cells, it might be more than that of young successful youth in our country.”
And sadly, she feels that more youth aren’t trying to be innovative and successful through legal means. “I encourage those youth who are successful to continue doing good to contribute to the growth of our country and help strengthen our economy as well as to help uplift other youth in their communities.”
She also had an important message for youth of today. “No matter how many times you fall in life, what matters is how many times you still pick yourself up and get the ball rolling again. Don’t be stuck in your current circumstance, but change the aspects at least.” She added that people should put themselves in another person’s shoes sometimes.
“Tears are rolling down my cheeks because I put a stumbling block on my future and I am not proud of it. I look at where my age mates are and say ‘I was supposed to be there too’.” Being someone who yearns for success in life as well, Mwatukange said that the youth should avoid crime. “Let the Lord be your guide and do not let challenges overcome your determination for success. Failure is just a delay, not a defeat. Disappointments are just God’s way of saying: ‘I have got something better for you’. Be patient, live life and have faith. Read Genesis 39:20-23 and Jeremiah 29:11.”
