Transforming lives: Inmates turn  waste into art at Gwanda Prison Zibusiso Sibanda and his artwork

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

ZIBUSISO Sibanda, a creative inmate at Gwanda Prison, has discovered a profitable venture in turning waste into art.
By repurposing humble materials like isitshwala (maize meal) and cardboard boxes, Sibanda has mastered the craft of creating intricate animal curios.

His talent was showcased at the recent ZPCS Matabeleland South Prison Service Day, where he exhibited a stunning array of wildlife, including buffaloes, elephants, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles.

With his release date set for February next year, Sibanda, a native of Kezi District, is eager to turn his newfound passion into a sustainable business.

“I have learnt a lot in prison which will help me to make ends meet and sustain my family. I learnt that remains of isitshwala can be very useful, not only for dogs. I have mastered how to make curios using sadza and old boxes. I wet the cardboard box and then mould it together with isitshwala to produce a moulding mixture.

“This mixture is good because it is light compared to the usual clay. My products can be easily carried around as they are lighter but also strong. When I soak the cardboard box, I crush it with my hands to make a paste. I take the sadza, clean it, and then add it to the cardboard box paste. When mixed, these two particles stick together,” he explained.

Sibanda shapes his animals using the mixture, smooths the surface with sandpaper, and then adds paint before applying varnish oil to eliminate any smells of isitshwala. He can mould any type of animal and birds. With only six months in prison, Sibanda has acquired a lot of knowledge, including pottery.

He plans to utilise this knowledge once he is released in February next year.

“I met someone during my stay in prison who taught me the skills of making curios. I didn’t see my incarceration as the end of the world for me but as an opportunity to learn many new things,” he said.

Ntandoyenkosi Velempini (27), an inmate at Esigodini Prison, has acquired extensive knowledge in basketry, art, weaving mats, and making chairs. He repurposes materials from broken chairs and tyres to create new furniture. Velempini feels that the skills development programme has given him a new lease on life.

“I’m still young, and the knowledge I have acquired during my stay here in prison will help me turn a new leaf in my life. I’m getting released in July next year, and I’m looking forward to starting my own business. I have learnt that even without a lot of money, I can make products from recycled material,” he said.

Maybe Mabhena (32), an inmate at Gwanda Prison, has gained extensive knowledge in sewing. She has learnt to make fascinators, hats, mats, and leather sandals.

ZPCS Matabeleland South provincial deputy staff officer responsible for corrections, Chief Correctional Officer Mthokozisi Chimbizi, said the exhibitions aimed to showcase how the prison contributes to the economic empowerment of inmates.

She emphasised that upon their release, inmates should join society and contribute meaningfully towards the attainment of Vision 2030. Empowering inmates to become productive helps to fight recidivism.

“We have incorporated waste recycling into our skills training programme for inmates, working with stakeholders such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). We want inmates to use locally available resources to create various products. Some inmates already have this knowledge and share it with others.

“They also get to experiment and find new methods of creating different kinds of artefacts. The inmates make bins, vases, baskets, mats, chairs, and other products using recycled material. We also teach them welding, carpentry, gardening, poultry, cattle ranching, and goat rearing, among other techniques,” she said.

Chief Correctional Officer Chimbizi stated that the main objective of the rehabilitation process is to ensure that once released, inmates become productive citizens and significantly contribute to the nation’s development.

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