Yobe is a South African docu-reality series created and hosted by Siyabonga Thwala which documents the journey undertaken by perpetrators of crime seeking forgiveness from their victims and their families.
The 13 part docu-series unpacks the stories of the perpetrators as they take accountability for their actions by apologising to their victims.
Setting the tone for the dialogue is the victim, recalling the events that changed their lives. The incident which resulted in the offender being jailed is then delievered 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 occurs under the guidance of trained Correctional Services facilitators and social workers.
Due to the sensitivity of the process, all cases are handled with the assistance of the Department of Correctional Services and their rehabilitation program facilitators.
Is it possible to heal wounds caused by the devastation of crime through a victim-and-offender dialogue?
Yobe is an M-Net Original Production, executive produced by Siyabonga Thwala (for Nalumi Pictures) and Desiree Markgraaff (for Bomb). The series producer is Pearl Munonde and the series director is Omelga Mthiyane. Adze Ugah is the re-enactment director.
The title music is by Siyabonga Thwala and Bham Ntabeni.