By Sbongile Nonyana
Lebohang Manamela, 40, once terrorised his community as an armed thug, but he has changed his criminal ways and become a pastor.
Manamela, from Winterveld in Soshanguve, started stealing when he was just six years old, taking pencils from other children at school. In high school, he stole from his teachers.
At 16, he got involved in serious crimes like car theft and armed robbery.
“I did all of this because I wanted to fit in,” Manamela explained, admitting that he didn’t feel bad about his actions at the time.
In 2002, at the age of 16, Manamela was arrested for armed robbery, hijacking, murder, and attempted murder.
“I can’t talk much about the murder because the victim’s family are now my close friends,” he said.
He was sentenced to 25 years and released after serving almost 14 years.
While in prison, he joined the dangerous 26s gang, known for robbery and smuggling drugs, cigarettes, and money. He was moved to different prisons, including New Lock, Boksburg, Sun City, and Pretoria Central.
However, Manamela later used his time in prison to change his life. He finished high school, earned a diploma, and studied theology and ministry.
When he returned home, he stepped in as a pastor at his grandfather’s funeral.
“People were shocked that I had changed my life,” he said.
“Prayer saved me from my bad ways.”
Today, Manamela is married, has three children, and is a pastor at the St Genesis Apostolic Church of Prophecy. He visits prisons to preach, but people in his community still think he might be involved in crime when they see him with the police.
Pictured above: Lebohang Manamela.
Source: Supplied
