Give ex-offenders a second chance, urges MMC Molwele

27 May 2016

 

South Africans need to change their attitudes towards ex-offenders and work with them upon their release if the country is to break the cycle of crime.  This is according to Cllr Nonceba Molwele, the City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development.  

 

Speaking during the launch of the Social Reintegration Project of the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders at Johannesburg Prison, near Naturena, on Wednesday May 25, Cllr Molwele said ex-offenders committed crime again upon their release from prison because of rejection by society.

 

The Social Reintegration Project of the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders is an organisation driving the reintegration of former convicts facing insurmountable challenges upon their release.  It was founded by former prisoners Simphiwe Sibeko and Bongani Maduna.

 

The launch also saw the unveiling of a mural at the nearby Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Diepkoof, Soweto. A dialogue was also held during which prisoners shared the challenges they faced upon release.  MMC Molwele said the reintegration of ex-offenders into society would succeed only if stakeholders partnered with organisations such as this.

 

The MMC said the City had several programmes in place aimed at helping ex-offenders, especially the youth, to reintegrate into society and break the cycle of crime. Reintegration would only succeed if communities ended the stigmatisation of former convicts, she said.

 

The launch was also attended by City, provincial government and prison officials, inmates and representatives of various non-governmental and faith-based organisations. They all pledged to work together to help those released from prison to cope with reintegration.  Former offender and now successful businessman Kenny Kunene and actor Sello Maake ka Ncube also attended the event, held under the theme: “Breaking the Cycle of Crime and Relapse.” 

 

Cllr Molwele said giving ex-offenders a second chance meant helping them to find jobs and providing them with skills training.  Kunene, who was programme director, advised the inmates to start planning for life after prison well in advance.  “Start small, never lose focus and believe in the dream,” he said.

 

Thuli Mkhize, Head of the Prison’s Social Work Department, said crime was a harsh reality and finding honest solutions was the only answer.   She said unemployment and the lack of skills were challenges for ex-offenders.  

 

Sibeko said the empowerment of ex-offenders was a priority.  He said his organisation planned to spread the awareness of its work to other prisons, first in Gauteng and then to the rest of the country.