WHAT used to be a site of incarceration, detention and torture for some of the country’s most well-known political prisoners has been transformed into a place of hope in Pietermaritzburg.

Former student turned facilitator Minenhle Mkhize displaying some of his creations which have made him a sensation in the local fashion scene. Picture: Sibusiso Mboto

The Old Prison, a correctional facility established around 1862 is now home to the Gateway School of Fashion, a place where young minds are developed and where dreams can flourish.

The building which is in Burger Street also contains a museum and a national monument, according to its Facebook page. When a new prison complex was built in Pietermaritzburg Old Prison, known as Madala Jele by locals (loosely translated as old prison) was abandoned but it wasn’t the end of its use but the start of its new purpose.

Instead of drab prison garb, the jail where Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and John Langalibalele Dube were kept for different periods during apartheid is now a creative space where students craft designer clothes.

Cotton and beautiful material are housed in the same building where you can see the leg cuffs which were used to restrain prisoners when they were taken to a hospital or to court in the 1930’s.

The Old Prison courtyard as it was in the 1900s. Supplied.

Brenda Waring a designer and the school’s principal has been there since 2013, and says it is a great joy to see their ex students making it big in the industry.

The Old Prison courtyard in recent years. Supplied.

Some of their designs are showcased at many of the country’ most prestigious fashion events.

“Many of our students have been to the Durban July and the Dundee July and have won top prize for their creations. This demonstrates both the talent from the students and the amount of effort put in by the facilitators to ensure that the school produces the best out of its students,” she said.

Reverend Jabulani Mnculwane at the entrance of Project Gateway which was once a prison but now offers a number of services to the community of Pietermaritzburg. Picture: Sibusiso Mboto

According to Waring there’s a huge demand for the services of their graduates especially for matric ball functions.

“When we teach our students from first year they get to understand that while being creative is important, it should also be balanced with the ability to work the numbers and ensure that they make a profit”,” she said.

Waring said that one of the rewarding features about the school is that it assists students from struggling families, ensuring that they can reach their dreams which would not have been the case under normal circumstances.

She said one of the core values which they instil in their students is the importance of giving back which is in line with the founding principles of Project Gateway.

This is reflected in Minenhle Mkhize, a 25 year-old third year student who is now doing well as a designer but is also a facilitator at the school. Speaking to Independent On Saturday, Mkhize who comes from Elandskop, a rural area in Pietermaritzburg explained how he had been fascinated by drawings and designs from an early age.

“When I heard of this school from some of my friends the thought was to come and take a chance to see whether I will be considered, and here we are,” he said.

The designer said the school had shaped him as both a designer and human being, teaching him about the values of humanity.

In 2016, Old Prison which is a national heritage site was engulfed in flames and parts of it severely damaged.

Most recently the school suffered another setback when one of the walls collapsed rendering that section of the building unusable.

“Thankfully that happened at night otherwise who knows, there could have been some injuries in the process. We are grateful to have avoided that,” Said Waring.

The collapse of the wall has meant that third year students have had to share space with second year colleagues, and while it is not ideal, it is the reality they have to deal with. Waring believes that while this impacted on their operations, it did not affect the resolve from both the management and students to reach greater heights.

“This year’s end of the year fashion was just a smash hit and led me to tears upon realising how each of the students had grown and that is why I am confident about coming out of this episode. Without a doubt the wall collapse was bad but there is belief that we will conquer,” she concluded.