Inmates view Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address

MORE than 700 prisoners of the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre viewed President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address (Sona) last Tuesday evening.

Officials of government communications and information systems provided a big screen TV at the prison’s Medium A Centre, where inmates viewed the address.

Limpopo government communications and information systems director, Thanyani Ravhura, said prisoners were also citizens of South Africa and they had the right to information, regardless of the fact that they were in prison.

“We felt that prisoners should not be excluded from information regarding issues that affect them,” he said.

Ravhura thanked the management of the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre for allowing the department to put up a big screen at the centre.

Prisoners also showed their delighted at being able to view the Sona.

The area manager for the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre, Richard Malebane, said it was exciting for prisoners in his management area to be able to view the Sona.

“Prisoners are part of the nation and have the rights to listen to information affecting them. We believe by viewing the president’s outline of his five-year plan, their lives would change for the better,” he said.

One of the prisoners who viewed the Sona at the prison, Nndileni Ratshitanga, said Zuma’s speech was good because it centred on the economic growth of the country.

“We now understand that the issue of poverty, inequality and unemployment will be addressed. The eradication of poverty will mean that government will be able to create more jobs,” said Ratshitanga.