WATCH: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture reaches out to Boksburg Correctional Services inmates

The donated items seek to promote participation in sports and recreation activities within the prison.

April 29, 2021

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Performing for the officials from the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation are Wendell De Lange and Xolani Mhlanga.

Christmas came early this year for Boksburg Correctional Services inmates following a generous donation of art equipment received from the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

The much-needed donated items, which included two trolley speakers, djembe drums, table tennis bats, table tennis balls, visual arts and soccer equipment, were officially handed over on April 23.

During the intimate handover, which took place at the prison’s dining hall, inmates showed off and impressed the officials from the department with poetry, isipantsula dance and freestyle rap.

The Boksburg Correctional Services received donations of art equipment from the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation on April 23. Seen here during the handover are Peliswa Xayiya, Jabulane Nkosi (Boksburg Correctional Services education and training manager), Poloko Sefako, Theo Hlongwane, Bhekinkosi Mazibuko, Bridget Nkadimeng and Bontle Matsebula (SRAC section head).
Front: Nhlanhla Manda.

The department’s cultural officer, Reuben Jonga, said the donation formed part of the department’s comprehensive strategy to assist the prison in its offender rehabilitation programme.

“We want these donated items to develop your artistic talents and enhance your skills. We are planning to introduce new programmes to the centre, such as scriptwriting, theatre performance, as well as visual arts and crafts,” he said.

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Jonga encouraged inmates to participate in such programmes to keep them busy.

Bridget Nkadimeng from Boksburg Correctional Services said the donated items will add value to the prison’s sports, arts and cultural activities.

On behalf of the inmates, Nhlantla Manda thanked the department for identifying the Boksburg Correctional Services.

“We thank them for believing we can still change and contribute positively with the skills we’ve learnt through the rehabilitation programmes when we go back to our communities,” Manda said.