Prisoners enjoy a sports fun day

Inside the precincts of Barberton High School, cheers and chants could be heard from offenders supporting their fellow prisoners during the annual sports day for offenders last Tuesday.

The tournament brought together more than 540 inmates from eight prisons around the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) region, which comprised teams of Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo for a day of fun. It was for the first time the event was held in Barberton.

According to Mr Sunnyboy Mndawe, DCS acting deputy regional commissioner, the sporting event formed part of a rehabilitation process for the inmates. “The main objective of this day is to hone the skills of inmates, and help them to become productive members of society. Enjoy yourselves, but bear in mind that the purpose of gathering is rehabilitation.

I urge you to grab this opportunity as a second chance to develop your talent in a positive way,” said Mndawe.

Sporting codes included netball, rugby and soccer. Correctional centres that participated were Barberton, Bethal, Rustenburg, Rooigrond, Witbank, Thohoyandou, Polokwane and Klerksdorp. Local correctional services only competed in soccer and rugby and triumphed in both codes.

At the end of the tournament, squads to represent the region at the national sport day for offenders, which is expected to take place in Pretoria on July 24 and 25, were selected in all three sporting codes. Six regions from various correctional centres around the country will compete for honours.

Barberton area commissioner for DCS, Mr S Netshivhazwaulu, said the event supported a policy of rehabilitation, which will combat the country’s reputation for poor human rights practices within the prison system.

“In Barberton offenders are allocated at least an hour for exercise daily. In addition to sports events, initiatives such as art recreation, culture and reading are provided to offenders,” said Netshivhazwaulu.

One prisoner, who didn’t want to be identified, said the event helped them to use their free time in a positive way. “Sports are very important for people in general, and for us it helps to improve our fitness and health. Here in the corrections and rehabilitation facility, we have the opportunity to play sports throughout the year, and we often compete against other teams,” he said.

The champions in each code received gold, while the runners-up got silver medals and the teams in third place bronze.

In soccer, Barberton received gold, Rustenburg silver and Polokwane bronze.

In rugby, Barberton came first and received gold, Witbank got the silver and Bethal bronze.

In netball, Bethal came first and received gold, Polokwane secured the silver and Klerksdorp the bronze.