Frank Hendricks, a 65 year old bodybuilder, decided to open a gym in the suburb of Rusthof for gangsters so that they could 'pump out' all their frustrations. The suburb of Rusthof is a place that is surrounded by poverty, unemployment and almost perpetual violence. A devastating event led to Frank opening his gym in the year 2008. Hendricks's son was in his 20s when he tried to protect a girl from being harassed by a gang known as the School Boys. They stabbed him 12 times, leaving him bleeding at the side of the road. Hendricks accompanied his son in the hospital rather than laying charges. Franks stated, "My son said to me: 'Don't send those boys to jail, Daddy,' and I did what he asked." As he was sitting by his son's bed side, the idea came to Frank to open up a gym so young gangsters can get rid of any frustrations. Most people at the gym seem to have a story of hardship and a want to change the life offered by the streets, to become someone better. The journey needs self-control and discipline – main skills that are learnt at the gym. Frank managed to get word out to the School Boys' gang leader that he wanted to see him. Shortly afterwards he saw the gang consisting of 30 memebers coming towards his house. "People said: 'Today you are going to die'," states Hendricks. "And I told them, no, that won't happen." Instead, he requested his wife to bake some cakes for them. "I organised a beach braai, and after we had eaten we spoke about life and why the boys ended up hurting others. Many of them cried," states Frank. Gaining their confidence little by little, Hendricks had finally got his wish and he opened a gym in the back yard of his house. "Don't worry about the money," he explained to potential members. "Just come." Since the day Frank has opened his gym, he has sent many young men to the Western Province Bodybuilding Championships.
Really? Is this a joke? I am quite surprised that a bodybuilding father instead opens up a gym for ruthless gangsters to come and let off steam, than pressing charges for what certain gangsters have done to his son. I will admit I am a weightlifter and have been weightlifting for almost 3 years now, and I really do let off steam when I am in the gym, and it feels terrific. But it's almost like these gangsters cause havoc, then go to Frank's gym and let off steam, and then cause havoc again. What is the point? I can understand Frank's theory about having these gangsters take a load off their back, but if these gangsters really need help (which they obviously do), shouldn't they talk to a therapist or a police officer or something, rather than go to the gym? Personally, I feel that Frank is just wasting his time showing compassion for these youngsters, especially since they put his son in the hospital. These youngsters need proper guidance or serious therapy. If I was Frank, I would seek justice to these youngsters by sending them off to jail. But it seems that Frank has the spirit of an angel under his brawny body.
A normal day at Frank's gym
Article Source:
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-24-00-cape-town-working-it-out-at-frankies
"Cape Town: Working it out at Frankie's" by Olivia Gibbs, May 24, 2013, Mail and Guardian: Africa's Best Read
Photo Source:
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-24-00-cape-town-working-it-out-at-frankies
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