SOMETHING special has developed at the Mossel Bay Juvenile Detention Centre where rehabilitation has been enhanced by including inmates in an arts programme.

Two years ago members of a local church, the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), embarked on an ambitious project to write, direct and produce a Christmas play with a unique, local flavour. The result was that four different churches participated and six clergymen played the leading roles in Die Kruis, Die Kroek en die Kroon (The Cross, the Crook and the Crown). A drama group called the ConArtists, who are detention centre inmates, were the supporting act.

“As an enchanting rap group, they wowed the audiences and received standing ovations.

“The play cemented the relationships formed between the Department of Correctional Services, various church groups and the participating young men,” AFM member Amos van der Merwe said at the weekend.

He said the prison authorities were pleased with the positive change in the inmates and wanted to continue with the project.

“Cornelle Carstens, who initiated the project, immediately agreed to continue her involvement and with the help of another local writer is in the final stages of preparing for this year’s Christmas show, Kruispad/Crossroads.

“It has been an amazing year. The ConArtists have been involved in various performances in the community and have been instrumental in conveying messages of mutual understanding, hope and healing to people who used to reject the idea that rehabilitation was a reality,” Carstens said. “They are really very good, these guys. They grabbed this chance to prove to their friends and families that they can regain a sense of self-confidence and self- worth. It is amazing to see the progress from introverted, uncertain youths to young men who get on stage to amaze audiences.”

Carstens says it is heart- wrenching watching the inmates with pupils at schools where they perform. “You must see the adoration of those pupils who now look up to them as a positive influence.”

Van der Merwe says in this year’s show the ConArtists play the leading roles in an indigenous Christmas story set in the Karoo.

The six clergymen will be performing again this year with Afrikaans singer Randall Wicomb. The show starts at 5pm on November 26 at the Mossel Bay town hall. The run ends with a free show for the community on November 29.

The ConArtists said they would like people to come and see what they have achieved, adding that they were “proud to show our families and friends what we have learnt in the (detention) centre”.