Born in 1970, Tony grew up in Paarl, but now living in Simondium, happily married and a proud father of two. When he was 18, something incredible happened. While in court waiting for the judge to hand down his death sentence, of rope hanging for murder, his mother handed him a small red Gideons Bible. As he opened it, he opened the page on Psalm 23, a passage that would have a profound impact on his life. The entire atmosphere in the courtroom shifted, and instead of being executed, he got a fifteen-year sentence. On that same day, eight other men who had committed similar crimes were sentenced to an execution death. That night, Tony looked up through the bars of his prison cell, and saw the vast beauty of God’s creation and his own place within it. Overawed, he covered his head with a blanket and he poured out his heart to God, releasing all the pain from his childhood. The room filled with the presence of God. The next day Tony walked past the cells, encouraging the other eight men to read Psalm 23. Remarkably, that same week, all the death sentences in South Africa were lifted, and all eight men were given longer prison terms instead of being executed.
After his release, Tony read Psalm 23 from the same Gideons red bible, to his father on his deathbed after which his father accepted Christ before he closed his eyes for the last time. God prompted him to write a book called “MY Getuienis, God se plan met my lewe,” even though he never planned on becoming an author. The book is jam packed with amazing testimonies, bound to uplift and encourage all readers. Tony encourages prison ministry workers to continue ministering and providing support upon the inmate’s release. Those who fund prison ministry projects make an investment in building God’s kingdom. Tony urges men to step up and fill the void left by fathers who have abandoned their sons, a significant reason why many juveniles end up in prison. As the interview ended, I asked Tony a final question: “Do you have plans to write a second book?” Without any hesitation, “Yes! Several!” Tony’s humility shines through. His future mission involves helping other inmates write their testimonies so that God can be glorified.
Please contact Tony on 078 660 9581 for a copy of his book, only available in Afrikaans.
