Ermelo Correctional Services inmates graduate
The graduates included two FET graduates, five TVET graduates and 11 AET graduates.
The Department of Correctional Services Bethal Management Area hosted the second annual offender graduation ceremony at the Ermelo Correctional Centre last Thursday.
The ceremony was aimed at acknowledging 18 offenders for the effort they put into their studies between February and November last year.
The graduates included two FET graduates, five TVET graduates and 11 AET graduates.
The event was graced by representatives from the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, Department of Higher Education and Training and Unisa.
Offenders from the Volksrust Correctional Centre took to the stage to perform a drama focusing on the abuse of women and children, while offenders from the Piet Retief Centre entertained with traditional music and dance.
Ex-offender Jabu Mashinini motivated the inmates, saying: “The road to redemption starts before your freedom. You need to know the person you are and accept your situation before you can consider change.”
While incarcerated, Jabu was secretary of the Sport, Recreation, Art, Culture and Library Programme (SRACL), teacher at level 4 and head of Funda-Mzansi Book Club, amongst others.
Jabu said that offenders should first respect themselves in spite of being incarcerated and respect their officers, because respect goes a long way.
Deputy Director in the Department of Higher Education and Training, Ms. P.M. Dlamini-Vilakazi, gave the keynote address, saying offenders should embrace their current situation and accept faults in order to move forward.
“To those who did not take the opportunity to study offered by the Department of Correctional Services, we urge you to register and equip yourself for the day you are released,” said Dlamini-Vilakazi.
Area Coordinator of Corporate Services, Mr A Maphosa, manager of spiritual care, Ms Nomsa Thongo and Ms P.M Dlamini-Vilakazi awarded their certificates to the offenders.
