Inmates at Modderbee Correctional Facility have made over 4 300 masks since the end of April.
The work started at the end of April and they have been working steadily since then, sewing approximately 250 masks per day.
Material for the masks were provided by the Skills Development Unit at the facility.
“We heard about Covid-19 on the news, like everybody else.
I’ve been sewing since I was taught the skill when I arrived in 2001.
When the guys heard what I was doing, they liked it and asked to join me,” says Nkosinathi Nkosi, who leads the sewing team.
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The team has sewn enough masks for all the sentenced inmates, and are now busy with the masks for the awaiting trial prisoners.
In addition to making masks for their fellow inmates, they have also been making masks for the officials who work at Modderbee.
The operation runs entirely on the inmates schedule and they sleep in the same cell where their machinery is kept.
“We work during the day, in-between meals and between other jobs.
We can even make them during the night if we don’t feel like sleeping,” says Nkosi.
The group says they do not fear getting Covid-19 at Modderbee.
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“These masks will protect ourselves and others.
We follow the rules and are keeping safe,” says Nkosi.
The prison still has zero positive cases of Covid-19.
When there is no pandemic outbreak, the inmates work throughout the year altering the uniform of other inmates.
Olivia Mothapo, the centre’s communications officer, says once the inmates have finished making masks for their facility, they hope to continue making masks for others.
“We’re looking to help disadvantaged schools with masks. Our inmates come from the surrounding areas like Daveyton, Kwa-Thema and Tsakani,” says Mothapo.
Mothapo says the work the inmates are doing is part of their rehabilitation and helps keep them busy.
“The guys also gain valuable skills they can use once they are released.”
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