Durban — An inmate at Westville Prison will have her book titled Isibuko Sempilo reviewed on Tuesday in Westville.
Sthokozile Nothando Magwazwa is just one of many prisoners who have been encouraged to write and publish their stories.
The acting regional commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in KwaZulu-Natal, Tsandzeka Kenneth Mthombeni, said they had started a programme that inculcates a culture of learning among offenders in the province.
Mthombeni said a reading culture among inmates made a positive contribution to the rehabilitation system.
The DCS rehabilitation programme, “Funda Mzantsi”, is offered in partnership with the National Library of SA (NLSA). One of the key focus areas of the initiative is to inculcate a culture of book-reading by establishing book clubs at schools, in communities and at correctional centres.
The SA Book Development Council and the NLSA said statistics revealed that about 14% of the South African population are active book readers, and a mere 5% of parents read to their children.
Mthombeni said the DCS was determined that the programme ultimately broaden the knowledge of both offenders and correctional officials.
“It is a well-known fact that, collectively, offenders are among the least educated members of society, and research also shows that there is an inverse relation between knowledge, culture and crime,” he said.
The DCS believed that the acquisition of knowledge and culture and improved access to education reduced crime.
Mthombeni said offenders were encouraged to improve their literacy, vocation and education levels while in DCS facilities.
“Doing so increases their chances of successful social reintegration. The department is obliged to encourage offenders to reflect on their experiences and to write down their stories, debates and book reviews, to enable them to have skills in publishing their own literature, novels, books, etc for ... after their sentences,” Mthombeni said. “This is an ongoing rehabilitation programme.”
The book review will take place at the Westville Club Hall and run until Thursday.
Daily News