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1 April 2005

Programme Director
Rev DA Kuyler
Provincial Commissioner Modise
Managing Director of GSL, Frikkie Venter
Prison Director, Wessel van Niekerk
Representative of the Judicial Inspectorate, Bert Fritz
Representatives of the Department of Social Development
Representatives of the BCC Board, Nicro and Service Providers
Recipients of Certificates
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

In meetings held with Mr Frikkie Venter some time last year, I gave an undertaking that I would pay a visit to Mangaung Correctional Centre. That opportunity had not arisen until today.

When I was advised that 200 inmates were about to graduate at various levels and would be receiving certificates for courses completed in vocational and education training, I decided that this was the appropriate time to come here. It warms my heart that 200 people will be honoured because they decided that one of the ways in which they could improve their lives, was to equip themselves with skills. I am extremely impressed by what you have achieved and believe that this is the start of better things to come in your lives.

Education is close to my heart. I had been a teacher myself for a number of years and nothing pleased me more than to watch the faces of my proud and smiling pupils when they received their report cards. Today, all of you are my pupils and students and you have every reason to be proud and smiling.

You have shown that anything is possible despite difficult circumstances. You have demonstrated a hunger and thirst for knowledge. You are setting an example by proving to yourselves and to society that while atoning for the offences that you committed, you can also improve and enrich your own lives through using every opportunity to turn over a new leaf.

This certificate that you will be presented with heralds a new chapter in your lives. It is not always easy for adults to sit down and decide that they want to tackle courses through which they can acquire better skills in reading, writing, formal schooling and vocational training. You took that plunge and this morning you are picking the fruits of your labour. Let this not be the end of your decision to study but the beginning of even greater things to come. I would want to see each one of you going on to the following level and even upon your release, to continue with what you have started.

Allow me to again congratulate each one of you, your instructors and teachers and also Mangaung Correctional Centre for the wonderful work that has been done. This has been a team effort and it is my desire that you would be able to use your new skills to gain meaningful employment when you return to your families and communities.

You have proven that rehabilitation of offenders is not a dream; that if done consistently and with clear outcomes, it can be achieved. In this regard, I want to acknowledge the work done by the management and personnel of Mangaung.

It is interesting that you are receiving your certificates in the same week that we launched the new White Paper on Corrections in South Africa. This White Paper outlines a new approach by the Department of Correctional Services and its partners in dealing with correcting offending behaviour. It is a policy direction aimed at improving your lives and giving you a second chance to change the circumstances of your lives. Mangaung has embraced this White Paper and is already giving effect to it through its programmes of development and care.

While Mangaung has contractual responsibilities to meet in its relationship with the department, they have actively demonstrated that they are not confining themselves to that only. They are going well beyond the expectations and the inmates of Mangaung are the main beneficiaries of this.

You have also been acknowledged as the best adult learning centre in the Free State, an achievement that you and the province should be proud of. It is now important that the White Paper becomes the embodiment of what is done here at Mangaung. Continue along the path of providing services to our inmates and you will benefit as an institution that lives up to the mission and vision for corrections in our country.

I am impressed by the range of services that are available to inmates besides that of education and training. I would like to urge all inmates to make even more extensive use of services provided such as social work programmes, developmental and prevention programmes as well as the programmes in psychology and religious care. Your access to a well-functioning library and the wide range of sport and recreation activities give you a head-start above many others. Use it while you can and show to our communities that there is no reason for you to be treated as outcasts in society. Yes, you have transgressed and for that you have been incarcerated but it does not mean that you cannot turn your lives around for the better.

Mangaung gives you that chance. Let us see that you take full advantage of it.

This week has been quite an eventful one for the department and climaxes today with this ceremony. I have just come from a two-day policy and research conference of the department where we deliberated our new approach to corrections. We can only succeed in our new policy initiatives if we do it in partnership with all stakeholders in the correctional environment. This includes staff members caring for inmates, offenders and their families and all service providers. We need to become this great team actively working towards changing the face of corrections in our country.

This means that there must be sound relationships with all our stakeholders. Inmates must have confidence in the system and those caring for inmates must feel that their needs are also catered for.

I want to announce this morning that the department and POPCRU have signed a major agreement yesterday afternoon that maps out a new course in managing and settling respective differences between the department and the labour union. I am pleased that I can make this announcement here at Mangaung.

The agreement is the outcome of months of negotiations between the union and the department and fits in with the approach that we envisage taking in corrections through the White Paper. Agreements have been reached on a number of issues including the recognition that correctional services functions as an essential service and that disputes will not be resolved through the withdrawal of labour but rather through the use of legal grievance and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Both the union and the department have committed themselves to the introduction of the seven-day establishment, to taking initiatives through the criminal justice system to deal with overcrowding and to use the Departmental Bargaining Chamber in addressing all matters that impact on the relationship between them.

I am convinced that this agreement will impact directly on the lives of all inmates and staff members as it takes away situations of conflict and puts in its place a determination to resolve differences through open negotiations.

As the Minister, I am well pleased that this week has been so positive for corrections. Here at Mangaung, you have put the cherry on top with this ceremony. Next week our National Council for Correctional Services will meet in Cape Town under the leadership of Judge Siraj Desai. The Council will also take time out in the future to visit you here. On 13 April, I will deliver my annual Budget Vote speech in Parliament where I will spell out details of our programmes for the next year. Of course, I would also be referring to our relationship with Correctional Centres such as Mangaung. But I will leave the details for then.

In conclusion, let me again say to the 200 newly-certificated students, well done. My best wishes are also extended to those who would receive their certificates later in the year and to all other inmates who are continuing with their studies.

Together, we will yet make a significant difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans.

I thank you all.

Issued by: Ministry of Correctional Services
1 April 2005