Prisons boost social reintegration through soccer

Offenders from the Bethal Correctional Centre (BCC) joined offenders from Standerton, Piet Retief and Volksrust at the Standerton Correctional Centre’s sports ground to compete in a soccer festival known as the 4L Games Soccer Tournament from September 28 to 29.

The tournament is part of the rehabilitation process to eradicate criminality, particularly gangsterism, in correctional facilities.

“Sports are therapeutic for mental health and physical fitness. The Bethal Management Area has turned the sport into a beautiful game to enhance the rehabilitation process with the correctional centres,” said Siphiwe Mahlangu, the spokesperson for the BCC.

Mahlangu said sports are one of the identified potent activities that help to free offenders’ minds from negative thoughts.

Sports also help improve positive thinking and keep offenders fit and healthy. These attributes contribute to refining their behaviour and result in an effective rehabilitation process.

The tournament began with Bethal playing Piet Retief while Standerton was up against Volksrust. The games were played simultaneously at two separate sportsgrounds at the Standerton Correctional Centre, and spectators had a choice of which game to watch.

Bethal beat Piet Retief 5-0. Standerton drew 0-0 against Volksrust. Standerton won the game 4-2 after a penalty shoot-out. The final, played on September 29, was between Bethal and Standerton and Volksrust against Piet Retief.

Bethal beat Standerton 1-0, taking the champion crown. Volksrust beat Piet Retief 2-0.

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Sibusiso Simelane, the executive and representative of 4L Games, said they would be the main sponsor of the Bethal Management Soccer League starting on February 11, 2025.

He urged offenders to refrain from violence because it could cost the entire team elimination from the league.
He also said they would look at creating work opportunities for inmates once they are released.

However, he cautioned that those with records of gangsterism, violent crimes and visible tattoos would be excluded.

Simelane also said 4L Games would have random surprise visits to the centres to check the neatness of the cells.

He said the occupants of clean cells would receive soccer jerseys of their choice and a set of high-quality toiletries as a reward.

“We are not only focusing on improving sports. We are here to help you. We will prepare you for the outside world and help you to find work when you are released from the correctional centre. This is part of laying a foundation for the effective reintegration process,” said Simelane.

Last month, the area commissioner of the Bethal Management Area, Abel Mashaba, began the distribution of soccer boots through resources provided to the correctional centre.

He handed 83 pairs to the BCC management. Ermelo received 22 pairs, Piet Retief 32, Standerton 57 and Volksrust 16.

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