Turning offenders into entrepreneurs
LEEUWKOP - A well-known Midrand chef, Citrum Khumalo, and his partners recently took up the initiative, reducing crime by turning offenders into entrepreneurs, to prisoners at Leeuwkop Correctional Facility.
Khumalo and his Culinary Passions School of Hospitality have been involved in a number of different programmes such as sporting activities and career guidance that integrate prisoners and society, either by sponsoring certain essentials or being part of those programmes aimed at turning offenders into entrepreneurs.
He said, “Whether we like it or not, humans who have committed criminal offences will be reintegrated back into society. Rehabilitation programmes would make a difference to a prisoner’s chance of a changed positive life.”
Khumalo stressed that when society locks an individual away and doesn’t provide means by which the offender understands why they committed crimes in the first place, there will be no change in behaviour.
“According to statistics, at least 40 percent of offenders end up back in jail after release because they have no means of surviving out there. Prison is free food, free sleep and no stress for them,” Khumalo said.
Other guest speakers for the day included former South Africa Football Association CEO Robin Peterson; Kgomotso Pooe, owner of Quad Bikers in Soweto; Mothusi Masemola of Mothusi Knowledge Centre and many others.
Midrand Forum Word Press South Africa Network’s spokesperson Al Karaki said, “Through rehabilitative programmes, criminals come out of prison with skills that can assist them in staying away from crime.”
Organisations that partnered with Khumalo for the initiative include Acorn Foundation and Mr Price.
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