Unisa helps inmates read to build learning culture

DEBATE, research and education are the core functions of the New Leaf Organisation, run by inmates at the Losperfontein Correctional Facility in Brits.

The men at the head of the organisation yesterday said, as a result, the culture of reading and education ran deep within the confines of the prison walls.

They had weekly meetings where they shared information and knowledge, read books and did research.

“We discuss and debate topics ranging from politics to economics and everything in-between,” Shimmy Masigo said.

Unisa representatives had gone to the correctional facility as part of their Book Week activities. In addition to donating books, journals, study materials and offering assistance, they told the “residents” that reading and learning knew no limits, and therefore transcended prison walls.

“One of our functions is to support learning without limits,” Keleabetswe Malema of Unisa said. “If you need to do research work, we will assist, and we also believe in training our students to use the Unisa library online service,” she told prison residents.

Event co-ordinator Natalia Molebatsi, from the Unisa library, told them that they wanted to create a relationship, conversation and engage on issues of reading and education.

“We have hundreds and hundreds of books; make the request and we will send them to you,” added Mbongiseni Mdakane.

Karabo Modisane, who is serving the 12th year of a 20year sentence at the prison, said their book club subscribed to the notion of never allowing circumstances to define a person.

“We want to close the distance between illiterate and literate residents.”

“Inmates had to remain focused, despite their circumstances, so they could reach their full potential,” Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.