We live in tough times where humanity has been lost. Our justice system attempts to rehabilitate offenders, but prison does not undo the damage already done.
Mzansi Magic’s new hard-hitting prison reality show, Yobe, set to premiere on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on Tuesday, 10th April at 20:00 will document the intense journey of seeking forgiveness as ex-offenders approach victims or victims’ families for forgiveness.
Yobe is the brainchild of award-winning actor, Siyabonga Thwala, and is produced in collaboration with Bomb Productions.
The 13 part docu-series will unpack the stories of the perpetrators as they take accountability for their actions by apologising to their victims. Setting the tone for the dialogue will be the victim, recalling the dreadful events that changed their lives. Viewers will relive the incident which resulted in the offender being jailed through a re-enactment. The offender then proceeds to write a letter to the victim or victim’s family expressing their desire to meet with them. Once both parties agree to meet face-to-face, mediation will occur under the guidance of trained Correctional Services facilitators and social workers.
“Yobe is not just about seeking forgiveness, it also aims to unpack the socio-economic issues at the heart of South Africa’s crime stories and to explore the notion that change is possible for convicted offenders within the SA correctional system,” said Reneilwe Sema, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
Due to the sensitivity of the process, all cases will be handled with the assistance of the Department of Correctional Services and their rehabilitation programs facilitators.
“South Africa has a long and painful history of violence and forgiveness. The driving force behind Yobe is to bring together people who have been hurt and done wrong by those behind bars and to help foster a conversation as a step towards forgiveness and ultimately… closure,” said Thwala, who will also be introducing the stories.
Is it possible to heal wounds caused by the devastation of crime through a victim-and-offender dialogue? Tune into Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on Tuesday, 10th April at 20:00 to find out.
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