07 Aug 2016

First offenders inmates have been encouraged to dream big for life after prison. 

Businessman and managing director of Native groups of companies, Mr Mpho Balopi said when addressing inmates at the First Offenders prison in Gaborone recently that the greatest barrier to their dreams was their mindset.

He said they had to believe in themselves and change their mindset in order to achieve their dreams.

He further advised them that first they needed to develop an independent mind, explaining that it was wise to start believing on their capabilities. 

Mr Balopi said for him to be where he was, he did not have it easy  in his journey to being a successful businessman. He said he had different aspirations compared to that of his siblings who were “handsomely educated.”

Even though they thought he was going to be a failure in a family that was well educated, he however created his own destiny which eventually turned him into a successful businessman.

“If you take all those ideas that you have brainstormed while here, then work on them together you are going to go out of here with winning ideas,” he said.

Mr Balopi explained to the prisoners that businesses started with an idea, and if they take it serious they are going to make it as successful business people when they leave prison.

He also said he believed that there was a lot of creativity within them, and advised them not to shy away to express themselves because that was the only way they could know of their capabilities.

Mr Balopi informed the inmates that above all for them to triumph, they need to believe in themselves. He said they need to set themselves goals and focus on achieving them.

For his part, the organiser, Mr Thuso Khubamang said the idea of empowering inmates was born when he was based in the US during his prime time as a professional boxer.

Mr Khubamang explained that the programme was fruitful in empowering inmates when they left prison. 

He said therefore he came back and started it in South Africa and then later in 2005 in Botswana.

He said the problem they realised is after prison inmates find it hard to secure jobs to make a living after serving their time therefore saw it fit to help them find their feet. 

Even their families struggle to accept them back.

“Initially, we introduced this project with only boxing, and then later some inmates voiced that they also needed other sport codes to be incorporated so that they could take part too,” he said.

Ever since inception, he said they had managed to find jobs for ex-prisoners in different industries like in music, sports and others.

The prisoners were hosted to a daylong event which aimed to empower and inform them on avenues that they can follow in order to setup their business after prison life.

The day was concluded with different activities as some prisoners participated on boxing sparring showcasing their talents while others took to the stage to mesmerise other inmates singing to them. ENDS