13 Oct 2014

The famous human rights activist Malcom X wrote in his autobiography that when asked by a presenter what his alma mater was he responded, ‘books’ when other people named various respected universities.

This is because he spent the better part of his time at prison reading books and studying Islam because he had never went far in his education after his teacher told him that a black man could not become a lawyer.

However, Malcom X pursued his dream of studying and debating at prison until he was released whereupon he started recruiting for the Nation of Islam until he was appointed a minister by Prophet Mohammad.

Like Malcolm X, though not necessarily in same lime Nchidzi Kgweetsi who was released three months ago on unconditional parole wants to follow his brick-moulding passion developed while still at Serowe correctional facilities.

The 33-year-old Mopipi born Kgweetsi was released on unconditional parole after prison authorities realised he displayed good behavior and commitment in brick moulding.

In an interview recently, Kgweetsi revealed that he was raring to start life again after his release from correctional services and was grateful that AKB Yarona Hardware and Furniture donated to him what he termed a foundation.

The hardware store together with Serowe Prisons put their heads together and hatched a plan to assist the ex-convict to start a new life and prosper while simultaneously employing other Batswana at his home village.

The store gave Kgweetsi with some bags of cement, a wheelbarrow, a spade, a shovel, a hosepipe and two brickmoulds to kick-start his planned business.

Though he looked a reserved young man who often looked down when fielding questions, Kgweetsi observed that correctional facilities were effective if convicts behaved well. 

He offered a free advice to those still serving jail terms that, “They must take courses and engage in beneficial activities so that they have something to fall back to when they get released.”

He also encouraged good behavior amongst the convicts so that they could possibly benefit from the facility that saw him out of the correctional services before his term elapsed.

“Together with Mr Arunt Kumar Bhasin we decided to come up with a plan of how best we could assist him to start life again,” Serowe Correctional Services, Senior Superintendent Shakani Thani revealed during the handing-over of the goods.

He said that they had an obligation to take care of prisoners as well as rehabilitate them and the move was part of such a rehabilitation process. He revealed that AKB Yarona Hardware was committed to the cause of helping the ex-convicts to integrate back to society.

AKB Yarona hardware’s Mr Bhasin called on the members of the society to accept those who have been convicted of wrong-doing in the past saying the ex-convicts would find peace. He encouraged Kgweetsi to take the ‘gift’ seriously so that they may feel encouraged to assist others in future. Ends