While some mothers are spoiled rotten with flowers, chocolates and gifts for Mother’s Day, others including those detained at the Polokwane Correctional Centre, will have no more than a regular day of routine behind bars.
If luck comes their way this year, there might be an organisation or goodhearted individuals to spoil them this Mother’s Day, otherwise it would be just her and her baby waiting for the sun to set upon yet another ordinary day with no freedom and few privileges.
“It is not easy at all, but I have to adapt to the circumstances as it is because of my own mistakes that I am here,” said Thandeka Masango, who is serving a two year and three month sentence for theft.
Holding her three-month-old baby firmly she wished for a Mother’s Day outside prison. “Nothing is the same when you are behind bars – even birthdays. I would much rather be free taking photos with my baby. I do not need gifts, just quality time with my son outside of these four walls,” she said.
Sindisiwe Khuphe, mother of a nine-month-old girl admits to feeling sickened about raising her daughter in prison. Having been incarcerated for just over a year after being convicted on a charge of fraud and sentenced to three years and three months behind bars, Khuphe says Mother’s Day would be nothing more than a normal day of routine, roll call, having breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same set daily time and a day of being told what to do and what not to.
“I am feeling bad about the whole situation. It is a day for mothers to be happy but when you are in prison special days do not count any more. I would much rather be outside having fun with my youngest and three other children,” Khuphe said.
Spokesperson of Polokwane Correctional Centre, Zandile Mabunda indicated that some mothers’ families do not care at all and the women have to deal with their babies and the circumstances they are in on their own. “Children are only allowed to be with their mothers until the age of two years. Families fold their arms and sit back. There is little support from families and grandparents as they would not offer to raise their grandchildren while their mothers serve time behind bars. We cannot ignore that we have mothers in detention and have to see to it that they are treated respectfully and that their babies are healthy,” Mabunda said.
Story and photos: RC Myburgh
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