WATCH: Step Out, Stay Out, former footballers shout

FOOTBALL legend Zenzo Moyo and Sikhumbuzo Ndebele who starred at the heart of the AmaZulu and Highlanders defences in the 1990s, on Sunday launched their “Step Out, Stay Out” Campaign at Khami Prison.

The two footballers have come together to form City Football Development Trust with Bulawayo City chief executive officer, Thandolwenkosi Nyathi.

In an interview at the launch and in his address to Khami Prison and Correctional Centre inmates, Ndebele said his organisation, which donated 12 uniforms and four balls to the teams at the prison, wants inmates to undergo coaching and refereeing courses while inside. This he said will help them integrate well with society using skills learnt from prison.

“We want to assist in the rehabilitation of the inmates so that they don’t come back when released hence the programme is “Step Out, Stay Out,” said Ndebele.

He said this is only possible if the inmates are empowered with skills to earn a living when they leave prison.

“We are here seeing the other side of life and we have a number of initiatives that we intend to work on, which are meant to make a difference when inmates leave the prison. We want to give them skills to enable them to participate in the game of football,” said Ndebele.

He said to kick-start the programme, they provided a price of a goat to the inmates’ social league, uniforms and balls.

Ndebele who is a former member of the Zifa Normalisation Committee and helped set up the technical team of Michael Nees, the national team coach, head of coach education, Joseph Sibindi and technical director Jethro Hunidzarira, said they will assist inmates interested in coaching, refereeing and sports medicine.

He said they were excited about the prospect of a positive social impact their efforts could eventually have in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.

“We are excited to be involved in this life changing opportunity,” said Ndebele who was speaking on behalf of other members of the Trust.

He said he was impressed with the level of organisation shown by the inmates who are running their own football activities under the guidance of their chairman, Dominic Sibanda.

“I am impressed that they even have their own FA president inside,” said Ndebele as the teams battled to win the goat, which ended up being two goats after the Prison and Correctional Services boss Mkhulunyelwa Ngwenya donated another goat.

Zimbabwe Prisons have adopted a worldwide trend of rehabilitating prisoners as opposed to punishment as was the case before Independence.

The inmates are exposed to different trades and skills to prepare them for life after prison.

“As an organisation, we have transformed from a punitive approach we used to have to a rehabilitative approach, where we want an inmate who goes out to be a useful citizen,” said Ngwenya.

He also spoke about their other initiative that has seen them register a team with the Bulawayo Social Soccer League.

“We have registered a team of inmates with the Bulawayo Social Soccer League. This is part of our rehabilitation and reintegration exercise. They are preparing gradually for life after prison. We are now rehabilitation centres and this approach has proved a success and we are working with organisations such as City Football Development Trust,” said Ngwenya.

On Saturday the inmates side clashed with Sekusile in a league match at Khami Prison Stadium.

A 12-team league involving inmates from the province’s rehabilitation centres will kick off soon.

A tournament featuring the 12 teams was held with Khami Pitbulls and Best Movers meeting in the final as a curtain raiser to the league.

Khami Maximum Pitballs were beaten 5-4 after a penalty shoot-out.

Teams

Best Movers
Fortune Ngwenya, Reason Mutale, Dumisile Ncube, Bekithemba Dube, Kwanele Sibanda, Ndabezinhle Mpofu, Mgcini Lunga, Stanford Dube, Talent Tshanga, Mxolisi Nkomo – Subs Felix Nyoni, Themba Hadebe, Ephraim Nkomo, Mthokozisi Mpofu, David Nkomo

Maximum Pitbulls
Ntandokathixo, Awakhiwe Dube, Tapiwanashe Chivende, Petious Ndou, Tendai Simon, Aiwitness Mapurisa, Mncedisi Khumalo, Reason Sibanda, Kudakwashe Makaza, Rodrick Makondo, Maxwell Msindo, Pritchard Chuma, Vusi Matshazi

Khami Football Association
Dominic Sibanda (chairman), Cristen Ncube (vice chairman), Mandla Lunga (secretary), Trinity Ndlovu (vice secretary), Sherperd Moyo (secretary), Dacious Banda (treasurer), Dumisani Mvula (referees’ chairman)