One of last year’s most heart-wrenching South African feature films, Noem My Skollie introduced many to the dark world of Pollsmoor Prison and gangsters in South Africa.

The film is based on John W Fredericks’ life, and he has just released a new book, Skollie, focusing on the story of his life.

Courtesy of W24, below is an extract from chapter 10, in which Fredericks recounts his entry into the notorious Pollsmoor prison:

It was raining when we entered the reception area of the old Pollsmoor prison. We handed in our valuables and were stripped of our civvies. Our clothes were stuffed into a canvas bag with our names attached and put into storage until our release. We were then body searched, and the warder seemed to take great pleasure in shoving his gloved hand up our butts as if we were animals.

My pants were too big and I held them up with one hand while the other clutched the katkop. I had a bad cold and I had to swipe my runny nose on the sleeve of my jacket. Convicted prisoners hanging out the cell windows gave wolf whistles and a convict shouted at Gimba, “Hei, ronne hol!” (Hey, round butt!).

Another pointed at me. “Djy gan nog in my arms lê!” (You’re going to lie in my arms!) I tried to control my trembling as I stepped between the puddles of water.

…

We found an open space on the island and sat down. Gimba gobbled up his katkop. I felt ill and had no appetite so I hung onto mine. Minutes later, a lackey arrived and told us, “Gums roep julle … julle biete gou kom voo julle op julle moer kry!” (Gums is calling you … you better come quickly before you get fucked up!)

“Ko os gan hoo wat hy wil hê?” Gimba said. (Let’s go find out what he wants?)

I was going nowhere. “Gan djy!” (You go!)

Gimba got up and walked towards Gums’s “ranch”. I followed, still holding onto my katkop.

…

Gums turned his attention to me. “Soe djy’s ’n clever?” Die clevers is byte, die moegoes is binne! Djy slaap hie vanaand!” (So you’re a clever? The clevers are outside, the stupids are inside! You sleep here tonight!)

I let him hang for a few moments as his crew waited for my response. “Ek dowel mossie vi daai club nie” (I don’t play for that club.)

Gums exploded and beat and kicked me in a frenzy of fury, screaming “Jou fokken tief!” (You fucking bitch!)

I scampered away as Gums turned on Gimba. “Djy, Elvis! Druk ’n number!’ (You, Elvis! Sing a song!)

I lay on my bed and listened to Gimba singing in a falsetto. The bell rang for lights out and Gums shouted, “Toe mettie kop en oep mettie hol!” (Close your heads and open your bums!)

I waited for Gimba to return to his bed, but I heard a couple of thuds and Gimba pleading. Soon his pleading turned to moaning and I knew that he was not returning to bed.

Read the full extract here.

If you have yet to see the film, do yourself a favour and check the trailer for a taste of it:

[source:w24]