Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Prison inmates from Boksburg Correctional Services are currently benefiting from a wealth of experience of well-known karateka Shihan Peter "Poison" Thage since he volunteered his services as their tutor last month.

The Katlehong-based fifth dan has been training adult inmates in the full-contact style. This is seen as another way of rehabilitation programme of the prisoners.

It will serve as a part of the pastime when they are released. If things goes well Thage will want to spread his martial arts skill to Heidelberg Correctional Services which accommodates female prisoners.

Thage said he had signed a year's contract with the Boksburg prison officials as an instructor on a voluntary basis. "It has been my wish to impart my knowledge and this call came at the right time."

Patricia Kweyama, area coordinator of the development and care at the prison, said: "The initiative is part of the correctional services programme of skill transfer to offenders and karate is one of the sporting codes."