Prison journalism: A Day with the Springboks

By the time the clock had struck 14:00 on Friday, the 4th of November, the “mighty Springboks” had still not been able to make it out of the City Centre.

Awaiting the Heroes

I am standing at the no longer functional ‘walkover/pedestrian bridge’ that links Observatory to Mowbray. (So much for law-abiding…) Next to me are two gentlemen who happen to be on duty police officials. Their biggest concern was that the Bokke, World Champions, were taking too long to get to our sector. We all had to laugh as this happens when the Bokke bring home gold. All that should be is almost no longer. By this, I mean that everybody eases up. We made an informal agreement that, should the block get hot, and they are asked to explain why they are not patrolling, I would be the fall guy and claim they can notice me being out of bounds or trespassing in the area. Agreed. “Just don’t forget to let me leave the police station or vehicle,” I said. I am in no mood for lockup, or anything nearly related to it.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: My journey of self-discovery and transformation

Celebrating a Nation United

This is the kind of bonding and nation-building that the Boks do for the nation. Truthfully speaking, in the sports-mad nation that is South Africa, we as a nation have come so far, and yet we have so far to go. Cars lined up along the side of the motorway, all illegal stops, as we awaited our champion Springboks on their victory parade. It was only too exciting, and once again, strangers were the best of friends. Every person I saw was brimming with pride, unified, and most probably more excited than the boys in green and gold (turquoise at times).

I never stuck around to see the fellas making their way to Langa. Ironically, my reasons, the police had left. I no longer felt safe. One thing is safe, and that is the William Webb-Ellis trophy (I hope?), and the identity and growth of our wonderful nation. As we find our place in this world, put the demons of our past to rest, belonging, courage, willpower, dignity, respect, and humility. Restoration, much like the fella that reintegrates into society from prison.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: The unbearable loudness of Prison

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

If you have any questions you would like to ask our prison journalists, WhatsApp us on 060 011 0211.

Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website? If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prison journalism articles.