Ekurhuleni Metro Speaker Patricia Khumalo, along with representatives from various organisations, addressed the young offenders on the topics of substance abuse, the advantages of acquiring life skills and education, as well as living a life that is crime-free.
Khumalo assured offenders that the municipality will support them in acquiring skills that will benefit them when they are released into their different communities.
She also reminded them that committing a crime was not a wise life choice.
“Your parents cried when you went down (were convicted), but you must ensure that when you go back to your communities you remember those tears and do the best you can to turn over a new leaf and use the skills you have acquired to live a better life,” she said.
Khumalo placed emphasis on the role played by the youth of 1976, who fought for a better education.
“You (the youth) are part of the new generation who must take the struggle forward, but this can only be done through education and skills development,” she added.
“Ekurhuleni has partnered with correctional services so that we can reach out to all of the youth in our area, including those who are behind bars, because we still need them when they are integrated back into our communities.
“We must bear in mind that rehabilitation of offenders is a societal responsibility, and that is why, as the city, we have taken it upon ourselves to support the education programmes to aid offenders.”
With effective and relevant courses, the metro believes, ex-offenders will be better able to find work, start their own businesses and be an asset to the economy.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Khumalo said: ”Be the change you wish to see in the world”.
Also present at the event was one of the South Africa’s top motivational speakers and a surviving drug addict, Abner Mariri, along with ex-offenders, prison officials, David Nene from Fear Free Life and representatives from Sanca, Love Life.
Considering the consequences of using drugs, Mariri urged the youth to stay away from such dangerous substances and to rather value education.
“Don’t lose hope,” he said.
”I know people will tell you that it’s finished with you; they will put a full stop behind your life, but God puts a comma, because He is not finished with your life.”
Ex-offender David Nene said the last thing society needs is people reverting to crime because they feel they are capable of nothing better. – @FanieFLK
Youth empowered to make right career choices
