A reformed car thief from South Africa dropped into an Oxford youth club today to tell youngsters the importance of avoiding a life of crime.
Lucky Cele, 24, and Chris Majoz, 31, taught children in Blackbird Leys traditional African dancing and drumming and told them it could help keep them out of trouble. Mr Cele, from a poverty-stricken township near Durban, told the youngsters he turned his life around after joining a dance workshop funded by Christian Aid.
And Mr Majozi said although his hometown was thousands of miles from Blackbird Leys, the two areas could learn from each other.
He said: "There are similarities because crime is a global issue. Poverty is a global issue.
"We have helped many young people to change their mind set."
About two dozen young people aged from nine to 19 took part in the workshop at Blackbird Leys Community Centre.
Chrystal Christian, 13, of Knights Road, said: "The dancing was really fun. I think music and dance can get you out of trouble.
"There is no time to hang around and fight and have bad company."
Leys youth worker Beth Knowles said young people the world over faced "issues and temptations".
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