Several offenders at the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre (Matatshe) received skills development training while they are still serving their sentences.

About two weeks ago (5/8) 48 offenders received certificates for hairdressing, basic business skills, adult basic education or further education and training during a ceremony at the cdentre.

“We understand some offenders in our prison were illiterate, while some are without basic skills. We want to empower them with skills and basic education, so that they can create jobs themselves or be marketable as soon as they are released,” said the area commissioner in Thohoyandou, Dir Richard Malebane.

According to him, the training formed part of the rehabilitation process to reintegrate with the communities where they come from. “We want to break the cycle of crime among the offenders.”

The manager of Life After Prison, Mr Ndikandafhi Makhuvha, said that his organisation was excited and that it would be easier to assist ex-offenders who had received some basic skills training. “We promise to donate welding, car washing and knitting machines to some of ex-offenders, so that they may start a new life after serving their sentences in prison,” said Makhuvha.

One of the offenders who received a certificate in hairdressing, Ms Cecilia Ralikhuvhana, said the training and certificates they accumulated would help to change their life for the better as they would be able to do things themselves. Ralikhuvhana (26) is serving 20 years in prison for murder and said with the skills in hairdressing  and basic business skills, she hoped she could put food on the table for her family.