Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
A former Gwanda Prison inmate has praised the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) rehabilitation programme, which has empowered him to establish a thriving welding business at Ntepe Business Centre.
Mr Norman Ngwenya (42), who served a two-year sentence for having sexual intercourse with a young person, acquired skills in welding and motor mechanics during his incarceration. Upon release, he has successfully applied these skills to support his family and rebuild his life.
In an interview conducted at his workshop, Mr Ngwenya shared how the support from his family and community has made reintegration smoother.
“When I was convicted, I had limited knowledge of welding, but my time in prison allowed me to expand my skills. We underwent training in welding and motor mechanics. After my release, I chose to focus on welding, although I still take on occasional motor mechanics jobs when needed.
“My family welcomed me back warmly, and the community has also been supportive. Even the family I wronged has shown me mercy and now supports my business. My brother, who has experience in welding, invited me to work with him,” he said.
Mr Ngwenya reflected on how prison, rather than ending his life, marked the beginning of a new chapter and a second chance.
He now aspires to train inmates and share the knowledge he has gained. His workshop produces a variety of items including scotch carts, window and door frames, doors, shelves, and wheelbarrows.
“Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong side of the law and end up incarcerated, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on life. I urge inmates to embrace the rehabilitation process and focus on building a better future for themselves and their families,” he said.
His mother, Ms Elina Ndlovu, said she has witnessed a remarkable transformation in her son’s character and behaviour since his release. She admitted she had lost hope when he was imprisoned.
Paye village head, Mr Daniel Nyathi, stressed the importance of reintegrating former inmates into society for the sake of peace and development.
“When we see people who have been released from prison showing a desire to turn their lives around, we do our best as traditional leaders to support them. We also engage and mentor them so they can live harmoniously with others and lead responsible lives. It’s vital for communities and families to give these individuals a second chance, as they can make meaningful contributions to development,” he said.
Officer-in-Charge of Gwanda Prison, Superintendent Ishmael Madzimbamuto, said the ZPCS rehabilitation programme is designed to equip inmates with practical skills that enable them to be productive upon release. He added that the programme also focuses on successful reintegration into society.
“One of our core mandates is to equip inmates with skills so that, once released, they can start their own projects. We want them to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development by establishing businesses and creating employment.
“As ZPCS, we don’t just impart skills — we also provide psychological support to help inmates during incarceration and prepare them mentally for reintegration into society,” he said.
— @DubeMatutu.
