Everson Luhanga
Convicted kwaito star Brickz is no stranger to the music industry.
In prison, where he is serving 15 years for rape, he has joined other criminals who compose beautiful music for the people.
Brickz – real name Sipho Charles Ndlovu – was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a 17-year-old relative in 2013.
Together with Godfrey Pappas Molefe, the two are the lead singers of Felio (Love) Choir at Leeuwkop Prison Medium C.
Dressed in their choir uniform, unlike the rest of the inmates who dressed in orange overalls, the choir entertained people in Alexandra, Johannesburg on Thursday.
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola had come to hand over projects developed by offenders at Skeen Primary School in the township.
Speaking to the Scrolla.Africa team, choir leader Godfrey Pappas Molefe said the choir started in 1997. “The intention was to beat boredom and not to get involved in wrong and dangerous activities.”
Pappas said the choir practices four times a week in their cells which is supported by the officials at the facility.
Before he joined the choir, Pappas had a story to tell. “I was part of the gang group in prison called The 28.
“It was one of the most feared gang groups ever formed inside prison and I was the ‘light’ of the group where all other members looked up to me,” he said.
The 47-year-old Pappas has been behind bars for 23 years serving his life sentence. “I have never been out since I was 24 years old when I got arrested and later sentenced.
“I was sentenced for several crimes that I committed including gang rape, house robberies, and hijackings. Most of my youth has been in prison,” he said.
He said even in prison, his troubled life didn’t end. “I was troublesome and got involved in the wrong company and with the wrong people.”
But then, Pappas said he changed his ways and turned to God. “I found God inside prison and I am serving God.”
He said the choir is not limited to a specific genre of music. “We sing any genre. From gospel to clap and tap and Kwaito as well as hip hop.”
Pappas who is from Orlando West in Soweto said when the time comes for him to come out of prison, he will continue entertaining people with the musical talent he has learned while in jail.
The well-dressed man in a suit and a tie warned other people that jail is not a place to be. “Stay away from wrong association and stay away from criminal activities,” he said.
