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FROM JAIL TO KOTA KING!

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Delisa Bhembe (middle, back) celebrated his birthday with orphans at Bula Mahlo Day-care Centre. Photo by Collen Mashaba
Delisa Bhembe (middle, back) celebrated his birthday with orphans at Bula Mahlo Day-care Centre. Photo by Collen Mashaba

“GOING to jail is not the end of your life.”

These were the words of Delisa Bhembe, the owner of Delisabhem restaurant.

The kota king, as he is known in his kasi, celebrated his 40th birthday at Bula Mahlo Day-care Centre in Difateng in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni on Saturday.

He started the day by making breakfast for more than 70 orphans at the home.

Hen then prepared lunch, and celebrated his special day with the kids.

Delisa learnt to cook in prison, where he spent seven years for theft and hijacking.

“Jail is not a good place to be, especially without the support from family or friends,” he said.

He said that his sentence turned his life around, and he learnt the hard lesson that crime doesn’t pay.

“I was working in the prison’s main kitchen. Warders were happy with my work, and I got paid R60 a month for two years.”

When he was released on parole in 2007, he started making sandwiches and kotas.

The day-care centre was founded in 1989 by Regina Sekgobela to look after kids and provide education to the community. The facility was later turned into an orphanage when cops and the community started bringing abandoned kids to Regina.

Delisa said he adopted the home because as a prisoner, he was alone.

“I want those children to feel loved and welcomed by society,” he said.

He thanked Albany Bakeries for donating bread to the home, and Lebogang Leso for donating 50 pairs of shoes.

Delisa said that he was looking forward to teaching the children to cook, and making the best sandwiches in the kasi.

“I help them with their homework and teach them cooking skills.”

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