Directorate Skills Development has trained eight female offenders in cosmetic treatment of hands, feet, fingernails and toenails at Potchefstroom Correctional Centre from 01 to 11 February 2016. The training was provided through the Potchefstroom South African Academy For Hair, which is accredited to provide the training. The selected offenders had less than two years remaining on their sentences and were also selected for their adequate literacy level. The course consisted of ten contact sessions and will be followed by three-month workplace learning.

The offenders acquired the skills to craft different forms of nail art ranging from gel overlay, acrylic to French tip. Each attendee was provided with a tool kit to perfect their newly acquired skills during the three-month practical training. The training was conducted in a room that was converted into a beauty salon for offenders to practise their skills.

On the last day of the course they were assessed by being given tasks to treat volunteer clients in the converted salon. Their conversations with clients and meticulous application of newly acquired skills could be mistaken for an encounter between a beautician and a client outside of a correctional centre. They were awarded certificates for completing the course.

Klerksdorp Correctional Supervision and Parole Board chairperson Ms Nchelete Kali donated the prize money she won at the National Corrections Excellence Awards held in Kimberley in 2014 to buy some of the salon equipment and furniture.Assistant Director Research and Development Ms Eullyne Rapeta said the training was part of delivering on the Directorate Skills Development’s mandate of providing offenders with market-related and vocational skills to contribute to their reintegration and to enable them to start their own businesses or be employable to sustain themselves. Head of Potchefstroom Correctional Centre Sipho Mahlangu said every offender has a talent that can be enhanced for smooth reintegration.

The Potchefstroom Female Centre has 82 sentenced female offenders and 23 remand detainees. In addition to offenders trained in cosmetic treatment, other offenders are part of the 67 Blankets for Mandela Day campaign and have already knitted 150 blankets, while others are involved in the textile project.