WATCH: Drug awareness campaign at Modderbee Correctional Services

SA Partners help inmates stay in shape and away from drugs.

July 12, 2023

Boitumelo Komape 2 minutes read

Modderbee Correctional Services peer educators and members of the South Africa Partners during the drug awareness campaign on June 5.

South Africa Partners (SA Partners) held a drug awareness campaign on June 5 for the inmates at Modderbee Correctional Services.

The campaign followed concerns about drugs in prisons.

According to Khaya Mavengana of SA Partners, the campaign aimed to educate inmates about substance abuse and how they could rehabilitate themselves while in prison.

As part of their efforts to make the session informative and fun, the inmates took part in aerobics exercises while being informed about the effects of drugs.

Hard at work during an aerobics session at Modderbee Prison were some of the inmates and instructors invited by the South Africa Partners.

“We encourage inmates to participate in activities such as aerobics to keep their minds busy, therefore, to not think about drugs. We believe if a person wants to change their life for the better, they will attempt to stop taking drugs,’ said Mavengana.

After the physical session, recovered drug addicts shared their stories of what led them to drug abuse and how they survived after choosing to be clean.

Inmate Sakhile Mtshali, who has been sober for two years, said he was addicted to crystal meth and nyaope for 18 years.

He said he changed his life and rehabilitated himself following his incarceration in 2021.

“My four children were deeply disappointed in me. Coming to prison was a blessing in disguise because I quit drugs after assuring myself that I would be a good father to my children. I am mature now. I am studying to be a teacher. My children are proud of me now,” said Mtshali.

Helping other offenders to overcome their addiction, Mtshali said he ran a recovery programme at the prison.

Another inmate, Sello Mokotong, said he began his recovery journey in 2004.

“I started aerobic sessions with other prisoners to prevent negative thoughts, such as taking drugs and missing home. I told myself I would do something worthwhile with my time rather than taking drugs. It is better to be fit and healthy than for me to slowly kill myself. Since we started, a lot of inmates have shown interest. Being fit makes one want to change their lifestyle,” he said.