“Blood in and blood out” is a well-known saying in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa. It refers to the violent initiation rituals often needed to enter a gang – and the likelihood of being killed before one can get out. These are the perils that people face when entering and trying to exit the estimated 130 gangs that control various parts of the city.
“Getting into gangs is easy, but getting out is impossible” is another popular saying in Cape Town’s gang-affected neighbourhoods. It also gives the impression that gang membership inevitably ends violently. That’s seemingly confirmed by murder statistics showing an average of two gang-related deaths in and around Cape Town every day.
Much has been written about gangs in the city. Researchers have described, for example, how gangsterism found its origins in the institutionalised violence and social disorder imposed by white supremacy under apartheid. Scholars have also written about how gang membership offers opportunities – self-protection, income and dignity – in areas where the post-apartheid state fails to provide adequate development and governance. But there is a lack of writing on gang exit in Cape Town. This reinforces the idea that gangsterism is a death sentence.
