Prison Journalism: The Transformation: A Prison Tale of Identity and BrotherhoodDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.
by David van Nek
14-07-2023 14:20
in Prison Journalism
A Prison Tale of Identity and Brotherhood Image by unsplash
In prison, staying occupied and showcasing talents is vital for survival. Soccer and rugby revealed hidden talents among us, setting the stage for significant events that shaped my time behind bars. Assigned as an office block cleaner by the Case Management Committees (CMC) staff, I joined two fellow inmates in the same room. Our duty involved cleaning officers' offices, unaware that it would unveil an unforeseen path before me.
--
ALSO READ: Prison Journalism: How Have You Changed as a Person
Prison: A World of Theft and Suspicion Among the staff at the CMC, there was a particular lady who took a liking to me from the very first day. She would be the one to provide us with the rules and regulations of the office block. During lunchtime, a time when money spoke volumes, calls would come in from those with financial means. The first question posed was whether we were ouens' or Franse.' It was at this point that I decided to engage with individuals from the 28's, aspiring to be one of their members. As I carried out my duties within the office block, I couldn't help but notice the careless nature of one of the captains. It was then that a thought crossed my mind-to take advantage of this opportunity.
I began by stealing a phone charger, which I sold for R200. Emboldened by my success, I took the risk of stealing a small phone as well, this time fetching R300. Trust was scarce within those walls, leaving me wary even of my fellow cleaners. It was during this time that thoughts of the lady from the CMC weighed on my mind. With newfound money, I had to exercise caution. Seeking advice from another inmate, I decided to wrap the money in plastic and conceal it in the most unlikely place-my backside. This was my own secret treasure, bringing a sense of joy and contentment. However, doubts still lingered about the trustworthiness of the lady at the CMC.
--
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: While my friends graduated high school, I sat behind bars
From Newcomer to Sundown One of the inmates in our room had the fortune of receiving regular visits from his family. Seizing an opportunity, I struck up a conversation with him. Within that same week, I made a call to his brother, informing him that his younger sibling would arrive for a visit carrying R510 in cash. Thankfully, he agreed to the arrangement. After the visit, he returned with a receipt, a proof of my newfound wealth. With this in hand, I took my first steps towards the 28's. The following week, a soccer tournament became the stage for an important turning point. All the 28's were set to join the camp, and each member would share their story and responsibilities with the newcomers. The highest-ranking member of the 28's would then impart the rules of conduct and behavior.
It was a transformative moment-I was no longer a Frans'; I had become an esteemed member of the 28's. The bond that followed was one of brotherhood, and the news of my affiliation would reach the 26's and 27's through an official report. As a lasting symbol, I bear the mark of the 28's with a tattoo on my left foot. This significant shift occurred on a Friday, and when I returned to work the following Monday, one of the captains summoned me. In a gesture that spoke volumes, he displayed the sign of the 28's, declaring, Now you are a Sundown. With pride and conviction, I responded, Sundown, Captain.
--
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Not treated like a woman in a women's prison
This tale of my journey within the prison system exemplifies the transformative power of circumstances and personal choices. From humble beginnings as an office block cleaner, I navigated a world of opportunities and risks. The favor of the CMC staff and the unexpected financial gains propelled me towards a desire for higher status and recognition among the 28's. Yet, the road to acceptance required cunning, trust, and calculated decisions. Finally embracing the role of a Sundown, I found solace in the brotherhood and the shared purpose that defined this newfound identity. These experiences, marked by stolen treasures, moments of doubt, and ultimately the affirmation of belonging, shaped my prison journey in ways I could never have anticipated.
DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received
RESTORE is a NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.
Do you have any question you would like to ask our prison journalists, WhatsApp us on 060 011 0211
Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website?
If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prisoner journalism articles.
SOAPIE QUIZ: How well do you know Gqeberha: The Empire'? ENTER & WIN R1 000 in cash!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
When Canada qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, OneSoccer knew this wasn'...
04/07/2026
Celebrates company's 80th anniversary
Rhodes have recently revealed that they will be producing a limited run of electric pianos in celebration of their...
04/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Cameras Empower Youth Broadcasting Program
Brie Clayton July 3, 2026
0 Comments
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro and Blackmagi...
04/07/2026
iZotope Joins Boris FX
Boris Yamnitsky July 3, 2026
0 Comments
iZotope, the team behind RX and Ozone, is joining Boris FX. A letter from founder Boris...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
03/07/2026
New bundle & three Single Packs
Continuing to expand their already sizeable orchestral collection, VSL's latest release introduces three new Single Pack...
03/07/2026
Venue installs new ATC-equipped control room
LSO St Luke's, a unique music venue that also serves as the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, have rec...
03/07/2026
Caden Pearson appointed new Commissioning Editor for NITV
3 July, 2026
Media releases
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has strengthened its commitment...
03/07/2026
1 February 2023
SHARE Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email
Munich, Germany, 1st February 2023: Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software technology for digit...
03/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/07/2026
Death Star
Andy Marken July 2, 2026
0 Comments
Look, I can't get involved. I've got work to do. It's not that I like the Empire; I hate i...
03/07/2026
Berklee's New Visual Identity: Honoring Our History, Building for What's...
03/07/2026
Scripps Research scientists awarded $2M to advance global disease surveillance Two Gates Foundation grants will expand wastewater surveillance and AI-driven dis...
03/07/2026
Joan Pulupa joins Scripps Research faculty to study the organization of DNA in brain cells and its links to neurodegeneration Using smell-sensing neurons and ad...
02/07/2026
Entering her senior year, this hometown girl is paving a career in live sports production gaining experience in replay and audio and as a TD
In the live-sports...
02/07/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
02/07/2026
BLAST, a competitive entertainment company focused on esports, has announced more than $133 million in revenue for 2025, representing more than 40% year-over-ye...
02/07/2026
Riedel Communications has announced official SKAARHOJ panel support for SimplyLive production workflows, enabled through the SimplyLive 2.1 release. The integra...
02/07/2026
The Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic has deployed LiveU video-over-bond...
02/07/2026
Gravity Media USA has announced the appointment of Brittney Boston as Head of Business Development, effective July 1, 2026. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Bosto...
02/07/2026
TwelveLabs, a video intelligence company, has announced $100 million in Series B funding co-led by NEA and NAVER Ventures, with participation from Amazon, Radic...
02/07/2026
The Pro Padel League (PPL) has announced a broadcast partnership with USA Sports that will air five PPL championship matches on CNBC during the 2026 season, the...
02/07/2026
LiveLike, a digital fan engagement platform, has announced eight confirmed FIFA ...
02/07/2026
Cobalt Digital has received Future's Best of Show Award, presented by AV Technology at InfoComm 2026, for its blueCORE family of standalone signal processor...
02/07/2026
Synamedia has announced the appointment of Dr. Tzvi Gerstl as Chief Executive Officer. Paul Segre, who has served as CEO for the past six years, will transition...
02/07/2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) and Sony Group Corporation have announced an expanded collaboration for the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC), taking place in Paris, Fra...
02/07/2026
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. ( Z') has announced exclusive broadcast and digital rights for the Bundesliga in India for five years, beginning with the...
02/07/2026
An effort uniting News, Sports, Local, and Telemundo, the 50+-camera live produc...
02/07/2026
Zoey Deutch, John Slattery, Ken Marino, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, and Ben Wang appe...
02/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
02/07/2026
A new era in unmixing and spectral editing
The latest version of Steinberg's spectral audio-editing software has just arrived, building on the strength...
02/07/2026
Aims to simplify additive synthesis
Sine Machine is the debut launch from Melatonin, a Vienna-based developer who have spent the past six years creating wha...
02/07/2026
Products to remain fully active & supported
Following the news of Native Instruments joining the inMusic brand line-up, Academy and Emmy Award-winning visua...
02/07/2026
What you missed!
Last weekend, Saturday 27 June 2026, saw the debut of Sound On Sounds new GearExpo UK event, the largest dedicated pro-audio event to take ...
02/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/07/2026
Following the successful launch of its inaugural APAC Mentoring Programme last month, the Rise AV APAC Regional Council will bring the conversation around mento...
02/07/2026
Blackmagic PYXIS 6K Used to Shoot Director Takahisa Zeze's Cry Out
Brie Clayton July 2, 2026
0 Comments
Highly mobile camera supports tense and de...
02/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions acquires BFE, expanding its lead in European broadcast, medi...
02/07/2026
Berklee Alum and Faculty Perform at Boston Public Library's 250th Anniversar...
02/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions GmbH, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, is acquiring BFE Studio und Medien...
02/07/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, has extended the ingest facility at leading Brazilian sports company LiveMode, work...
02/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/07/2026
Standalone processors acknowledged for the innovation and value they bring to Pro AV
Cobalt Digital, a leading designer and manufacturer of signal processing ...
02/07/2026
Synamedia announced today the appointment of Dr Tzvi Gerstl as Chief Executive Officer. Paul Segre, who has served as CEO for the past six years, will transitio...
Prison Journalism: The Transformation: A Prison Tale of Identity and BrotherhoodDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.
