By ‘Maleruo Leponesa
Simphiwe Xako has written Hosh Nongoloza, a powerful novel drawing on his years inside the prison system.
Xako is a Makhanda resident who grew up in Benoni, Gauteng — the place he says shaped him into the man he is today.
“Growing up in the loxion as a teenage boy, your growth is mostly influenced by the streets,” he reflects. “That’s what shapes your future, and sometimes it can go wrong unintentionally. ”
Xako considers himself lucky. He managed to avoid the fate of prison that befell many of his peers because of peer pressure and street life.
This week, as we focus on child protection, Xako says his book explicitly aims to empower the boy child, as they are, in most cases, the ones who fall victim to circumstances.
“Boys are usually catalysts of gender-based violence as well as many other offences, which usually land them in prison.”
He points out that we live in a busy society where children are left to raise themselves, or some are raised by their grandparents, who are no longer physically and mentally active. “That’s how it becomes easy to slip through the cracks and fall into the hands of the justice system.
His 15-year journey as a journalist and spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Correctional Services gave him a front-row seat to the realities of prison life — not the version people imagine or see on TV, but the real, raw experience of South African inmates. He met all kinds of prisoners — from repeat offenders to vulnerable first-timers — and these encounters fueled his first novel, Hosh Nongoloza.
The book sets out to educate and explicitly show the real prison life and the challenges within the South African justice system. Xako’s message is: Do not commit crime. Don’t associate with people whose real lives you do not know. Have a purpose and keep busy with fruitful activities.”
Hosh Nongoloza captures the real-life experiences of people who found themselves in prison without any criminal offences. He vividly recalls one character, Themba, in the book, a student at the University of Johannesburg. A long-lost cousin called him on a random weekend. Wanting a break from studying, Themba agreed. His cousin picked him up in a luxurious BMW X5. Everything was tempting for different food, alcohol and money.
However, his cousin was with his other friends. During the night, they were stopped at a major police and military operation. Themba had no idea that the authorities wanted his cousin and friends. Unfortunately, he was arrested with them. The justice system did not favour Themba; he subsequently lost his career and landed in prison by association.
“These young boys are naive,” says Xako. “Especially those who have a strong sense of wanting to belong. They rely on stories from people whose lives they envy, and they think prison life is what they hear in stories.”
However, through Hosh Nongoloza, Xako exposes the layered injustices in the legal system, from the courtrooms to corrupt prisons.
“Corruption has unfortunately swallowed even the officers of the law who are trusted to protect the law and citizens. Do not find yourself crossing paths with the hands of the law because justice in South Africa is a topic for another day.”
Now, pursuing his Master’s in Journalism part-time at Rhodes University, Xako hopes his book will one day be introduced to schools. He believes this is where the real foundation is built — and that Hosh Nongoloza can help young boys to have a vivid picture of prison life, which may rebuke their actions.
This novel has been sponsored by the Eastern Cape Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
