Amakhosi Khami Prison Rehab Program Through Arts – posted 12/11/2008

Saturday the 8^th of November was a special afternoon at Amakhosi Center where the 44 Khami Prison inmates thronged the township venue to present what most people in the audience referred to as the Show of the Year. ‘It is like these inmates artists do not come from Zimbabwe. They are excellent. It’s a long time since we saw a well costumed performance in Zimbabwe’ admitted Mr. Nyandoro the local programs officer of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.  

This was the first time prisoners were allowed out of prison to come out to the township to present a public performance. This was at the award presentation of the performing groups that participated in voices for change program of the Dreams to Fame series under the theme ‘Say It Like You Feel It’ held at Amakhosi on Saturday. Nine groups got recognition for their best work and presentations that took part from May to October 2008 in the seven talent zones of Bulawayo.

How ever the day belonged to the inmates who presented a refreshing drama piece tailored in music, song and dance. The play was written by the inmates produced and directed by Cont Mhlanga.

Mhlanga spent three weeks working with the inmates at Khami Prison in an Amakhosi Outreach Program in partnership with the Khami Prison Rehab Program.

Izethekeli perform imbube music, Shanduko performs traditional Dance while Khasa performs drama and contemporary township dance. The inmates from the three prisons of Khami Maximum, Khami Medium and Mlondolozi the female prison who are under the rehab program through arts by Amakhosi gave a well polished account of themselves and had good advice to the youths in the audience to encourage them to stay away from crime.

During 2009 they will be recording three albums and videos while still in prison with Amakhosi as most of them are serving long sentences. The program is planning on more public performances.