"If I can convert just one prisoner then I have contributed towards stopping crime in our community" says Praxis co-founder and director Mirriam Zwane. "There is so much crime in our country and it won’t get right unless the community gets involved."

Babuyile Development Project was founded by Zwane to lead a positive community response to crime. The word Babuyile means "they have come back" and the organisation aims to enable ex-prisoners to fit back into the community in a positive way, so breaking the cycle of crime, punishment and repeat offences.

"My first encounter with prison life was scary," says Zwane, recalling her visit to a graduation ceremony for young prisoners at Johannesburg’s ‘Sun City’ Prison in 2004. "Life behind bars looked hard and dangerous. Like many others, my first instinct was to keep away from this world." But then she began to speak with the youngsters: "I realised that many were the same ages as my own sons and nieces, and this helped me connect with them as human beings. Many were repeat offenders and I was shocked to hear that they preferred to stay inside."

Ex-prisoners felt stigmatised on attempting to return to their communities, Zwane found. "They got a harsh reception after completing their prison terms and the stigma made employment unattainable. Returning to crime and from there to prison was preferable to ‘going straight,’ and I realised how this perpetuates the problem of crime in our communities."

Researching the problem and speaking to community workers in the field led Zwane to found Babuyile in 2005, to offer prisoners and ex-prisoners rehabilitation, counselling and skills training. Zwane’s vision is that ex-prisoners give back to their communities and either get jobs or start their own businesses, and she has already organised donations of computers, skills training and teamed up with others like Unathi Miyoyo, an ex-prisoner and director of Get Real Team Events which has set up the GRYM dancing troupe.

Success has already been achieved with training and support leading to income generating projects. For example, ex-Leeuwkop prisoners trained by Babuyile are generating income for themselves by making beaded materials for public events and marketing (pictured), and the GRYM ex-prisoners dance troupe were commissioned by SASSETA to provide entertainment at their World Aids Day event in December 2006.

Without the support of Praxis and its clients, this work would not have been possible, says Zwane. Praxis has given her the time to devote to this work, as well as the office facilities for Babuyile.

In addition there has been wonderful support from Praxis clients. LGSETA and other generous Praxis clients have donated computers for skills training at Leeuwkop Prison.

"A lot of good work is being done around HIV/AIDS, skills development, youth and women but crime and prisoners also deserve our attention," says Zwane. "Babuyile is bringing hope and positive opportunity to prisoners seeking to leave crime behind."

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For further information contact Mirriam Zwane – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 083-259-4488

 

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