'NO FUTURE IN GANGS'

With 'blood on his hands', ex-skollie aims to inspire

- BY MARSHA BOTHMA

"I HAD blood on my hands. Today, I want to save young people from making the same mistake.

These were the words of Mervin Lewis, who, for most of his life, believed crime was the only option.

Born in Manenberg and pulled into the cycle of gangs and violence, he spent 12 years behind bars after taking someone’s life at just 18.

Now 56 and living in Weltevreden Valley, Lewis is determined to use his story to prevent young people from going down the same road.

Thinking back to the day he stabbed someone, he said: “That night in 1988, I thought my story was over. I had blood on my hands. I didn’t know it was just beginning.”