R100k’s worth donated towards offender rehabilitation programme
Arts and craft equipment worth R100k donated to Krugersdorp Correctional Centre for its rehabilitation programme
The purpose of prison is foremost to rehabilitate inmates so that when they eventually re-enter society, they’ll be better people.
There are various in-prison programmes to educate, help and emotionally and psychologically reform these former offenders.
Arts and culture programmes have shown to be exceptionally important and effective in the rehabilitation process.
Mbali Hlophe, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation recently visited the Krugersdorp Correctional Centre to assist in its offender rehabilitation programme.
“Our mission is to reach and touch everyone, everywhere in the province through our programmes, hence we are now coming into correctional facilities. We have termed our approach ‘From the Womb to the Cradle’ to ensure we reach all, including the unborn babies of their pregnant mothers, the forgotten and marginalised, and recognise heroines and heroes who have passed,” Mbali explained.
She and her department donated paint, paint brushes, sewing machines, percussion instruments, a sound system and more to the value of R100 000.
Gauteng Regional Commissioner Thakane Molatedi happily received the donation on behalf of the prison and said, “Rehabilitation is one of the difficult responsibilities we have in our hands, hence we’ve made it a priority. It requires that we try harder to reform the offenders, but also demands that the offender be ready to change. As such, we need to do more and give them reasons to want to change, and this donation will go a long way.”
“With over 2 400 inmates, the male-only offender centre is the second most populated after the Johannesburg facility in Gauteng,” noted Nomazwe Ntlokwana, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation spokesperson.
Mbali added, “We give this equipment so that we can assist in bringing the offenders back into society by assisting in their rehabilitation and letting them realise that society cares for their reform as fellow human beings. If we don’t help them help themselves, they will forever remain trapped in the circle of crime, which doesn’t benefit anyone.”
Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has also promised to work closer with the facility as it seeks to use the arts to promote local tourism and job creation.
