Offenders’ book clubs take part in regional Funda Mzantsi championship in Bethal

Bethal Correctional Services played host to the 12th regional Funda Mzantsi Championship on August 23 to 25.

Altogether 93 offenders, of whom 21 are women and 72 are men, belong to book clubs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West regions. They competed in the three-day event comprising reading, a spelling bee, debate and book reviews.

Funda Mzantsi promotes a culture of reading, promotes the diversity of South African languages and literacy, and encourages offenders to read, write, debate and value the ideas and thoughts of others.

Offender Dorothy Mokwana, who is serving a 15-year-sentence, said being incarcerated is “stressful” and joining the book club is a form ofa coping mechanism. It also helps to educate and gain skills.

“Through Funda Mzantsi, we can become something, like an author, publisher or journalist. We can also use our knowledge and skills when we leave to teach others and begin our own book club.”

Mokwana said one can either feel sorry for oneself or be proactive in time spent while being incarcerated.

Mokwana has also written a few books through the knowledge she has gained.

She said it is also a good way to mingle and network with other inmates, not only at the Bethal Correctional Services, but also in other provinces.

Correctional Services is a community on its own and incarcerated inmates are given the chance for education and skills development programmes.

“We don’t promote people to commit crimes and come to prison, but should you find yourself incarcerated, take one step at a time and do something. Grab the opportunities given and use them wisely,” said Mokwana.

Ex-offender Itumeleng Ledwaba used the skills and knowledge gained while in prison to pursue a career after her release. She became the CEO of a publishing company.

Speaking to the Ridge Times, she said being in prison is not nice.

She was released after serving two of a four-year prison sentence for fraud and said that although it does not sound like a long time, for her it felt like a lifetime.

“Being exposed to such programmes opens your mind to other things you would not know before incarceration.

“It helps with reintegration for when you go back outside,” said Ledwaba.

Another inmate said that being in prison is not the end of his life but the beginning of a new chapter.

“Our bodies may be arrested, but not our minds. Our minds improve with knowledge. Education is the key to the future,” said the inmate.

Funda Mzantsi was initiated by the National Library 12 years ago and began with a few local schools in George.

Over the years participation increased and inmates of correctional services were invited to take part.

“Every year we see more interest and an increase in more participants. We will be including sign language in the next year,” said Tebello Mahlangu, who is the regional coordinator for education and training.

She claimed that through the book club, offenders have written books, however, there is no policy in place for offenders to earn royalties while serving their sentence.

“The impact of such book clubs speaks for itself,” said Mahlangu.