A former gangster has turned his life around and started his own clothing line.
Jermaine Theys, 25, from Saxonsea in Atlantis said he fell into gangsterism while in school, hungry for authority and power.
He sank deeper into thug life after leaving school and before he knew it, he was carrying out gang orders.
But he always knew he wanted out.
“On April 18, 2018, I was sitting in my room and a voice started speaking to me and it told me to stop what I am doing. What I am doing is inhumane.”
He prayed for guidance, fearing people’s reaction about his choice, and how he would break the news to his ‘broese’, but “God spoke to me.”
He said although being a gangster came with “women, cars and money”, it also came with horrific consequences.
“Gangsterism only brings heartache to you, your family and friends. It is not worth it.
“I cannot mention the amount of times I have been shot at, friends dying next to me. I saw myself facing 10 to 14 years’ imprisonment at one point,” Jermaine told ANA.
He eventually mustered the courage to speak to his gang leader about leaving the gang.
“I kept praying. I called the gang leader and told him I did not want to live this life.
“He told me he saw I was distancing myself and was no longer 100% in this. By the Grace of God he wished me well. That was my blessing,” Theys said.
This has led him to launch his own clothing brand, called ‘Because of His Grace’.
“I am a young man who loves dressing well. Therefore I started a clothing line with T-shirts, golfers and crew necks for our youth.”
African News Agency (ANA)