Twelve years ago Loyiso Basso was in the mang for attempted murder and being in possession of an illegal firearm.
Recently he returned to Pollsmoor prison, not as a suspect, but as a changed man who runs a business and does motivational talks.
The 32-year-old from Khayelitsha turned his life around and wants to use his story to motivate others not to get involved in a life of crime.
“Crime does not pay, the end results are either prison - if you are lucky or - death.
“Going back to Pollsmoor was emotional for me because the last time I was there I was nervous and scared,” he says.
Loyiso says he left a life of drugs and crime after he realised he was wasting his life and making his mother suffer.
He now runs a restaurant from his home in Khayelitsha which he opened four years ago.
“I struggled to get employment due to my criminal record and started cleaning people’s yards. I saved the money and opened the restaurant.
“I gave my life to Jesus and I do motivational talks at youth events and schools.”
His bunny chows, known as kota in the township are stuffed with fries, fried egg, lettuce, cucumber and sausage or a burger and is a bestseller.
He will be hosting a kota day on Worker’s Day 1 May and invited local businesses to join him.
“Money must circulate among us in Khayelitsha as it does in other communities.
“Everyone is welcome to bring their product and put up a stall to sell.”