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- 92 -"Tsotsi" gangs are a well-known feature in the Africancommunity. They are formed mostly by males betweenthe ages of 12 and 40 years. 50) The "tsotsi"subculture has found fertile soil in the rural areaswhere it is brought by those youths who have tastedcity life. This subst~htial segment of presentdayAfrican society known as "tsotsis" have a wayof life, values and characteristic patterns ofbehaviour which are the product of a distinctivecultural system. The "tsotsi" s'ubculture has someof the following values: toughness, physical 'prowess,evidenced by.demonstrated position of strengthand endurance and athletic skill, masculinity symbolizedby a distinctive complex of acts and braveryin the face of physical threat. 51)•The "tsotsi" gangs are becoming better and betterorganized, more powerful and 'more dangerous everywhere.It is not uncommon for them to be ar~ed.One of the reasons why "tsotsi" gangs have becomemore organized is that membership is not open toany minor criminal who wishes to join. Before ayouth,~s admitted to the gang, he has to provethat he is of value to the gang. The most commonmethod is for the recruit to plead gUilty in courtto a crime committed by one of the leaders. 52)Referring to this subculture, Dr. J.W. Bodenstein 53)says that there is " ---------- a small segm~nt ofBantu society so culturally alienated and confusedthat a prison sentence, even for an offence disgracefulby any standards, may actually give addedprestige."'.i' ,,•,•50) Freed, L.F.: op.cit., p. 7351) Ibid., p. 13052) Ibid., pp. 77-7853) Bodenstein, J.W.: "The Bantu Ex Prisoner - some Cultural~ Patterns in his Reaction to Imprisonment and their RelevanceRegarding Rehabilitation", A Paper read at the 2ndAnnual General Meeting of the 8antu Prisoners Aid Committee,DUrban, 27.9.l969.93j • .•••