SAKHISIZWE

Mental Health Project was the brainchild of an inmate of Westville Correctional Services.

Sakhizwe (“we are building a nation”) Mental Health Project was the brainchild of an inmate of Westville Correctional Services who has subsequently been released. While in prison, he observed and experienced a great deal of depression and mental ill-health suffered by inmates. He believed that in order to see effective rehabilitation, help was needed for these troubled men. He approached other inmates and they began meeting regularly to share their stories, challenges, hopes and dreams.

This resulted in the formation of Sakhisizwe Mental Health Project within the Medium C Section which houses approximately 800 offenders serving sentences up to 15 years.

The Sakhisizwe Project sees a move away from a punitive approach to one that is rehabilitative and embraces restoration and development and the incarceration of offenders in conditions consistent to human dignity. The Minister of Correctional Services, Honourable BMN Balfour, believes in providing inmate with life skills that will teach them a sense of responsibility and make them realize the wrongfulness of their actions and commit to becoming responsible members of society upon their release.

The Lifeline Durban Prison Programme works with this group, equipping inmates with life skills, enhancing their self-awareness and personal growth, helping them cope with incarceration and preparing them for release. The rationale is that – through personal empowerment and skills development – change, rehabilitation and opportunities for employment on release will be facilitated, thereby reducing recidivism.

This art project component of this course is part of a national initiative in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Lifeline. Exhibited at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, earlier this year, the exhibition is now running in Durban at the KZNSA Gallery.

Teacher Paulette Barker and Prison project Manager Barbara McLean demonstrate their group’s restorative process by using artists Paul Klee and Vincent van Gogh as inspiration and case studies. The outcome is a series of portraits and self-portraits that burst with the freedom of expression through colour – themes extended into the incredibly vibrant and rich works on “life in prison” and “memories and dreams”.

Sakhisizwe runs at the KZNSA in Bulwer Road until November 9. More information on 031 277 1703, fax 031 201 8051 or email: curator@kznsagallery.co.za