Westville Prisoners build a new home for KwaXimba couple, Mbuyiselwa Mchunu and Balekelani Gumede

Story and Pictures By: Themba Khumalo

A Group of Westville Prison inmate who made a pledge to build a house for an elderly couple from KwaXimba has delivered on their promise. Bhekokwakhe Zungu, a Westville prison recreational officer, said the house was as good as done. “We are just putting finishing touches to it.We are now waiting for my superiors and the Mayor to give us a date for the house to be handed over to the elderly couple,” he said. The house was part of a pledge made by the inmates during Operation Give Back campaign in November 2009 where they donated artwork, clothing, and furniture to orphans. The gesture prompted Mayor Obed Mlaba to call for wrongdoers who had reformed to be given another chance.

During a sod turning ceremony in 2009 where the house now stands, Mlaba said, “Inmates who reformed need to be given a second chance as they have committed themselves to change”. Beneficiary, Mbuyiselwa Mchunu, could not contain his excitement said. “These children have given my wife (Balekelani Gumede) an amazing gift. “These are our children and I would like to urge the community to forgive them because they have shown remorse. “They are very respectful and this shows they have changed,” he said Gumede and Mchunu have lived in a shack since heavy rains and storms destroyed their house four years ago. “God is great.

We lost everything, including electricity, when our house was destroyed by those storms. But now thanks to these kids we are going to be living in a proper house,” said Gumede. Westville inmate Musa Zungu said, “We are happy the house is finally complete. Our aim is to show the community that we have changed and are committed to working with everyone.” He said the project had not been without its challenges. “We would have loved to have finished the house sometime back, but due to rain we couldn’t. We are, however, grateful that we were given the opportunity to put to good use the skills we have learned in prison.” Zungu is part of a re-integration project called Antisim. The project teaches inmates taught skills such as art, bricklaying, and carpentry to help them earn a living upon release.

khumalotk@durban.gov.za