Members of the newly formed New Life after Prison Community Forum were warmly welcomed when they recently visited Pretoria Prison Management Area.

The organisation, which looks after offenders, was recently formed in the Thohoyandou area and has already made its presence felt by donating working tools to released ex-offenders in Limpopo.

During their visit in Pretoria, they handed over four welding and two sewing machines to six ex-offenders, which will help them start their lives afresh.

The founder of the organisation, Pastor Ndikandafhi Makhuvha, said they felt they should spread their wings and cover the whole country. “When offenders are released from prison, they face many challenges, such as finding employment, lack of money and rejection by their own people. We took this opportunity to take care of offenders and give them a new lease on life. We will continue being of help to the ex-offenders and we also urge communities to do their part in this initiative,” said Makhuvha.

He also urged businesspeople to help with donations that will help to cater for offenders.

The former regional correctional commissioner of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northwest, Chief Watson Tshivhase, who was present during the ceremony, hailed the initiative, saying it would give offenders a second chance in life.  “Unlike other offenders who are forced to go back to prison because of circumstances, they will have something to do, such as welding and sewing. They will now only focus on their jobs,” he said.

One of the parolees, Ms Sibongile Khumalo, who spent four years in prison, said the only challenges that she met was finding employment after leaving prison. "New Life after prison came as an answer to my prayers. The sewing machine that I received will make a meaningful change in my life. I am going to start my life all over again,” she said.