Duncan Village joint initiative helps ex-offenders gain skills, stay out of jail
Programme praised for holistic approach to rehabilitation
Local community development organisations have joined to offer support for ex-offenders, unemployed people and school dropouts.
The Duncan Village Re-Entry Project was launched this week, and 20 people will be taught important skills during the one-year weekend programme.
West Bank Prison parole board chair Chumisa Dlova attended the launch, along with African Capacity, The Seed Community Development Foundation and Bhisho-based Deborah Community Development.
The organisations will provide vocational and life skills, as well as basic mental health services.
The aim of the programme is to help participants to be become financially independent.
Hendry Gwani, of African Capacity, said: “We have registered at least 20 participants and we are looking forward to registering more, and 44 people attended the event.
“We chose Duncan Village as it has a very special place in our hearts, and we felt very strongly that we should work here to uplift people and give back.
“Often when ex-offenders have been released from prison they are subjected to rejection from their families and friends.
“It becomes hard for them to gain employment due to them being red-flagged by their criminal records. This causes them to lose hope and often resort to committing crime again and going back to prison and that does not have to be the case.”
Gwani said the participants would be divided into small groups and have private oneon-one sessions.
“We will be bringing in vocational work which will be knitting, carpentry, tailoring and upholstery.
“We chose these vocations because we have seen a lot of interest in them.
“We have volunteers to train beginners. “This will help people in the community to be able to establish financial independence and provide for themselves.
He said the life skills programme would focus on aspects such as developing relationship and communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership and values.
Thembelani Mpitikezi, of Duncan Village, who is an ex-offender, said: “The project will be helpful.
“My interest for carpentry developed when I was still inside prison but unfortunately I was not able to do it.
“I have worked with a non-profit organisation before which I joined in 2008. We participated in community outreach to schools through creating awareness to pupils and why we were in prison and the challenges that one endures.
“We did this so that we can grow up to be individuals who avoid such situations and learn from our mistakes.
“I have always wanted to be part of such an initiative, and I have seen people in the community who have skills and are able to be financially independent.”
Dlova praised the programme, saying it supported correction services’ rehabilitation efforts.
“When we place ex-offenders back in the community we want them to be able to not have challenges that can put them back in prison again.
“We want them to be productive citizens. It is important that the community are able to assist and provide support.
“We know Duncan Village is a hotspot for crime and this programme can assist to help lower the crime rate in the area and ensure that parolees are supported.”