Welcome Witbooi is a South African former gangster leader.
As agangster member, he was an excellent player of his part.
He was articulate with a calm and collected demeanour.
Welcome Witbooi is a South African former gangster leader. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
He would dress the part when working at corporate events, covering his tattoos with collars and long sleeves.
Luckily, he had a turnaround for the best.
Welcome Witbooi story
What was Welcome Witbooi age when he joined the gang?
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Witbooi was only 12 years old when he became a member of the 28s gang group.
The boss told him that he had seen a lot of potential in him.
He would do the deliveries while wearing his school uniform.
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This way, the police officers would neither notice him nor search in his bag.
He was determined to be no longer the young boy everyone knew and saw.
At the age of 16, Welcome was handed his first gun and bullets.
Welcome Witbooi. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
He was bundled into a car with other members of the gang ready for his initiation task.
His instructions were to get out of the car and shoot her.
He walked towards the woman and showed her the gun.
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In fear, the woman asked Welcome to take all the money and the car.
Since he could not drive, he commanded the woman to get in the car and drive him away.
He jumped out as well and ran in the opposite direction.
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Facing the law
After Witbooi was arrested, his seven accomplices were arrested shortly after too.
The other gang members warned him to take the fall since he was a minor and a first-time offender.
He was convicted of kidnapping, extortion, assault, and robbery.
Welcome during a TV interview. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
As a result, he was sentenced to 23 years in jail.
He was initiated into the Numbers Gang membership without his knowledge while in prison.
This was the only way to avoid being raped, abused, or killed while inprison.
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Each star was for each correctional officer he had stabbed.
He had now become the general of the 28s where he commanded over 2,500 people in Pollsmoor prison.
Every day, Welcome made thousands of rands from undertaking numerous illegal prison activities.
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After leading the gang for seven years, he decided to quit.
He studied adult basic education and training with a speciality in human and social sciences.
He began teaching in prison and did other positive things, such as helping inmates and orphans.
Welcome Witbooi and a football club. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
He created the Group of Hope Initiative.
A series of mediation followed this through the restorative justice programme.
Eventually, he was released in 2012 after serving for 14 years.
Welcome Witbooi serving. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
Lots of things had taken place while he was in prison.
In 2001, his mothersuccumbed to leukaemiawhile his father died of a road accident in 2004.
He moved back to live with his grandmother, who visited and prayed for him while in prison.
Welcome Witbooi and his girlfriend. Photo: @welcome.witbooiSource: Instagram
Later, he founded the Heart and Soul Foundation SA.
The foundation’s role is offering diversion programmes and encouraging young people to build rather than destroy society.
Welcome Witbooi book
Welcome constantly shares his story in different schools across the country.
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Welcome Witbooi pictures
Welcome has transformed not only on his behaviour but on his looks too.
Here are a few photos that display the change.
His main goal is turning strangers into friends and friends into a family.
It is his mission with this local football club.
Christmas is known as a time to make someone merry.
What better way than to share with the less privileged and give them a reason to smile?
Welcome has assumed the role of Father Christmas in creating a smile on the kid’s faces.
Welcome has found the right woman for himself.
One who accepts his past and supports his future.
He has found someone to walk with and stand by at all times.
His transformation story shows that people have room to change for the better.
Albert is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety.
He has had a successful political career over the years serving in different posts.
How about learning more about his life, political career, and other details?
She holds a Degree in Purchasing and Procurement Management from Mount Kenya University.
Email: salmarashidabdul@gmail.com
