A woman who spent eight years in jail for inciting the death of her husband in 2005, Vho-Lowani Noria Ramabulana (63), is today the talk of Dopeni village after she started an arts project.

The project, Vusani Tshikale Co-operative, aims to equip women and the youth with art skills ranging from traditional dance, beadwork, sewing and dressmaking to knitting, pottery and sculpting. At the moment, Vusani boasts 21 youths and 17 adults.

“I tapped into my talent and developed my skills while in prison,” says Ramabulana, who is also a cultural poet. “Now I want to share my knowledge with my community and the world.” Ramabulana was only released on parole on 19 July, and she feels that she is on the right path of life now. “Prison is a bad place for human life and I can’t wish anybody to be there, not even my worst enemy,” she tells.

“My stay in jail taught me many things and also opened my eyes,” she emphasizes.

One of the women in the project, Vho-Salmina Sibadela (70), says that her involvement at Vusani Tshikale Co-operative benefits her with skills and knowledge in beadwork making and dressmaking. “I can sew and make handbags using beads,” she said. “Vhamusanda Vho-Noria taught me all these things. Because of her, many children no longer spend time doing naughty things in the streets. They are with us in the project.”

Ramabulana hopes that their products will soon have a market. “People will get to know us, and we’ll be able to sell our things,” she says optimistically. New Life after Prison recently gave Ramabulana two brand new sewing machines for use in her project.