Lovemore Dube
PRISON inmates have been urged to grasp skills to use after their release so that they will make a living out of what they would have learnt.
This was said by the Zimbabwe Correctional and Prison Services (ZCPS) acting officer commanding Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Assistant Commissioner Greenfield Bulala at Khami Maximum Prison on Thursday, when the prison received sportswear for inmates from the Editor of The Sunday News, Hatred Zenenga.
Asst Comm Bulala said sports keep inmates busy and healthy.
He praised The Sunday News for its corporate social responsibility programme, which he said on the flip side of rehabilitation may go a long way in helping some of the inmates turn to coaching or playing after serving time at Zimbabwe’s correctional facilities.
“You are all kept busy by soccer here. Life does not end here, the day you leave, you will leave with something to help you out there. The Sunday News people have come with a soccer kit, a uniform, which makes you distinct from others.
Zenenga presents Assistant Commissioner Bulala with a coach’s jersey
“Looking at the flip side, some of you will play and some will coach from the skills gained here, so when you have left, we expect you to impact positively to the community.
“You can be a star and sustain your family. The challenge that is there, is to come out reformed and never to return here.
Return to donate, not as criminals, I wish you all the best,” said Asst Comm Bulala who was speaking before over 700 inmates.
Inmates have their hall league and play regularly to keep fit and entertain their colleagues.
Winners of the kit, a light blue and white strip that resembles Argentina’s famous one will represent Bulawayo in the inter-inmates games next month.
Some former players have served time and come out to shine.
The Sunday News is keen to assist inmates get coaching badges in a number of sporting disciplines for use outside prison.
Zenenga said his publication had sourced the kit from abroad from Thamsanqa “Majinkila” Ndlovu, Boga Matiwaza and Stella Shimell.
“The sports kit we sourced is genuine, not from mabhero (bales). It is original and we advised our friends that we have a project, it is the beginning of our relationship with you here and we hope to keep on improving. We want to bring you a former coach to assist you,” said Zenenga.
The Sunday News Editor challenged the players to rise to it as others before have played in the same environment and come out to excel outside prison.
“Some in the Premier League started here until they went out and blossomed,” said Zenenga.
Matiwaza, on behalf of Shimell and Ndlovu said they were impressed with the new prison concept adopted by Zimbabwe.
She said the fact that they were in prison does not mean that it is the end of the world as they are now being moulded to adapt to life outside.
She said at times society is to blame for those serving time.
“We failed as society. Let us give them a second chance, they are family and part of our community. In the African set up, even those with disabilities are still family.
“If through this gesture and many more to follow, we can add a smile and provide a platform for these guys as players and future coaches, we are happy to donate periodically. Soccer keeps them busy, an idle mind is dangerous because it is scheming, who knows, stars and future coaches may emerge,” said Matiwaza.
The inmates were presented with the kit and sports jackets to be presented to the most outstanding players of the tournament.
