Chiefs Kick Off Empowerment Initiative For Women Inmates

Kaizer Chiefs are ready to inspire women inmates through a partnership with the help of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and two other organisations.

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The story

Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs became the second club in South Africa to partner with the DCS by launching the Twinning Project, alongside the FIFA Foundation.

This initiative places focus on empowering women inmates at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre.

The launch took place on Wednesday at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre and was attended by a number prominent figures, including Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis, marking a significant step towards reducing reoffending rates through empowering female inmates.

The Twinning Project, first successfully implemented in the UK and subsequently launched in four continents, brings professional football clubs and penal institutions together to prepare prisoners for release and employment.

In South Africa, SuperSport United were the first to collaborate with the Twinning Project, DCS and the FIFA Foundation, launching their project in March, in efforts to empower inmates from the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane.

As stated by Chiefs' press release, the club and the aforementioned organisations seek to rehabilitate women offenders by providing them with football coaching lessons, thus empowering them for reintegration into society upon their release.

By harnessing the beautiful game's universal power to inspire hope, discipline, and transformation, the program will offer female inmates access to training, mentorship, and opportunities designed to promote their physical, emotional, and social development.

The Twinning Project supports the Department of Correctional Services' commitment to fostering an environment conducive to positive change through effective rehabilitation.

Kaizer Chiefs coaches, Arthur Zwane, Dillon Shepherd, and Aubrey Mathibe, will help conduct workshops where they will use their expertise and experience as players and coaches to train the inmates with a view to equipping them with some skills them after their release.

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"Football has a unique ability to bring people together and create a sense of community. By participating in the Twinning Project, female inmates will have an opportunity to improve themselves and redirect their lives towards the right course," stated Minister of Correctional Services, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, in praising the project.

Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director, Jessica Motaung, expressed the club's excitement to be involved in pursuing positive change through the power of football:

"Football has the ability to break down barriers and bring people together, and we're honoured to be part of this journey," adding,

"Empowering female inmates with football skills presents an opportunity for growth by helping them unlock their full potential and hopefully assist their reintegration into society as confident, productive individuals."

Motaung also acknowledged the club's contributions to the project, saying:

"We're thankful to have coaches who are not only well-skilled in the game but are also passionate about making a difference in their community."

Here's a look at what went down at the launch: