By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Humans of AfricaHumans of AfricaHumans of Africa
  • Home
  • Stories
  • About
Search
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Aa
Humans of AfricaHumans of Africa
Aa
Search
  • Home
  • Stories
  • About
Follow US
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Stories

Charmaine Coetzee: ‘I joined a gang because I wanted to belong’

By Akorfa Searyoh Published October 20, 2020
2 Min Read
Charmaine Coetzee
Charmaine Coetzee
SHARE

Charmaine Coetzee is a former gang member from South Africa. She grew up in Cape Flats, South Africa. Also known as Manenberg, Cape Flats is known for its gang territories and standard of living is poor.

Charmaine Coetzee grew up without her parents being present in her life. The only way she could receive the love she wanted was to join a gang – a circumstance many other women go through in townships in South Africa.

“I decided to join the gang due to the brotherhood because I always see a gang as a group of brothers and sisters that look after each other.” 

“I come from a home where there was no mother or father. I had a mother and a father but they were just never interested in me. So I joined the gang because I felt that there was more love there, there was more support, there was more of the things I didn’t get at home. So for me I gained brothers and sisters in the gang.”

Now 20 years later, on her way to become a social worker, she says no one ever really leaves the gang. She still considers them family.

“Those are your brothers and sisters so if you go to them and they see the way you’re living that you’ve changed your life they will pardon you. You don’t really exit the gang, you just move up.Because the trademark [of being part of a gang] is always going to be there.”

“I’m about 20 years out of the gang, I just moved up. I never really left officially because the trademark is still there,” she added.

She says if someone wants to move up, all they have to do is change for the better. 

“I don’t believe it’s a difficult thing because it wasn’t difficult for me.”

TAGGED: Family, Gangs, South Africa, Women

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Akorfa Searyoh October 20, 2020 October 20, 2020
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Flipboard Whatsapp Whatsapp Reddit Telegram Email
Previous Article Malik Al Nasir Malik Al Nasir: ‘My ancestors were both slaves and slave owners’
Next Article Nels Abbey says he was mistaken for a security guard at his first banking job Nels Abbey: ‘I was mistaken for a security guard at my first banking job’
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

Ricci Ossei - Humans of Africa
Ricci Osei: A cultural and artistic icon
Stories August 25, 2019
‘People thought they knew the story’: the rise and fall of Milli Vanilli
Stories June 17, 2023
John Obidi: From unemployed youth to fast-rising African entrepreneur
Stories May 20, 2019
Raised by two troubling fathers – Monica Macias
Stories August 24, 2020
Segilola Grey is an elderly woman who models in Nigeria at the age of 72 years old
Old age has nothing on the 72-year-old Nigerian model, Segilola Grey
Stories September 9, 2020
How a selfie revealed Miche Solomon’s true identity
Stories August 17, 2020
Omar Mohamed: ‘Waiting 23 years to see my mum’
Stories July 30, 2020
Ama Ata Aidoo: the pioneering writer from Ghana left behind a string of feminist classics
Stories June 14, 2023
Why a Namibian artist records his music in the dark
Stories June 12, 2023
Nathi Mankayi: Music liberated me from prison
Stories August 21, 2020
Follow US
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?