As a teenager he had the opportunity to attend school at Parktown Boys and King David in Johannesburg, where art was his favourite subject. But Shani got involved with drugs, which led him to experiment more and go on the wrong path.
As a young man Shani was a drug addict. He overdosed twice and things went further astray when he agreed to smuggle drugs to Thailand.
He was caught with the drugs in his possession, found guilty and sentenced to life behind bars. He was a prisoner in Bang Kwang Central Prison, also known as the prison that “eats men alive”.
In prison there were no art supplies. Shani’s creative side took care of the problem. He used a toothbrush and coffee to paint birthday cards for other inmates. But his life took a turn for the better as Shani became spiritual. He believes God saved his live. A prisoner within in a prison became free in his heart.
“Life became meaningful again and I understood God had a purpose for me.” says Shani. Painting became his escape from reality. But after 28 years in prison, the King of Thailand offered amnesty and Shani was released on 22 April 2012. He landed at O.R Inernational Airport on Freedom Day, 27 April. Behind bars Shani was considered a tiger amongst tigers. But he walked out of prison a changed man. A man who loves art and loves to bring joy to people’s lives. “Never waste a moment. Be passionate about life,” is his message to others.
* Shani’s autobiography, Dragons & Butterflies, is available at Exclusive Books, Amazon and Kindle.
