As South Africa marked Women’s Month, the SABC’s Morning Live programme broadcast live from the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre on 27 August 2026, offering viewers a rare insight into the realities of incarceration, rehabilitation and the consequences of crime.
Before sunrise, television cameras captured offenders preparing breakfast in the facility’s kitchen, providing a glimpse into daily life behind correctional centre walls. The live broadcast formed part of a broader effort to raise awareness about rehabilitation and the challenges facing female offenders.
During the programme, Morning Live presenter Sakina Kamwendo interviewed the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, on issues affecting women in correctional facilities and the significance of Women’s Month within the correctional environment.
The National Commissioner highlighted the growing pressure on female correctional facilities, noting a significant increase in the female inmate population over the past two years. He pointed out that the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre is among the most overcrowded facilities in the country, with a bed capacity of 711 but currently accommodating 1,803 inmates, including 25 babies housed in the Mother and Baby Unit.
“Overcrowding hampers our rehabilitation programmes, and the ageing infrastructure presents additional challenges,” said the National Commissioner.
The broadcast also provided a platform for offenders to share their personal journeys into crime and reflect on the impact of their actions.
Offender Kananelo Ntsane, who is serving an 18-year sentence for concealment of birth, spoke openly about the consequences of her actions on her family. She explained that she and her partner are both serving sentences, while their two children are being cared for by her mother.
“I feel remorseful for having concealed the birth of my child and for leaving our children to be raised without their parents,” she said.
Offender Idah Lebaka shared her experience of being convicted for robbery with aggravating circumstances that resulted in murder. She became emotional as she reflected on the choices that led to her incarceration and the impact of her actions on the victim and her own family.
“I have learned that pursuing material things through unlawful means comes at a great cost. My actions have resulted in a 22-year sentence and lasting consequences for many lives,” she said.
Offender Connie van Nieuwkerk, a former chartered accountant serving a 10-year sentence for fraud, spoke about the challenges of adapting to life in a correctional centre and her ongoing rehabilitation journey. She explained that her elderly mother is unable to visit and that she currently receives no visitors.
“I have been here for a year, and I am still finding my footing in rehabilitation,” she said.
The live broadcast provided an opportunity for the public to hear directly from female offenders about the consequences of crime and the importance of making positive life choices. It also highlighted the Department’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for successful reintegration into society.