The ceremony was held to honour and award inmates for how they participated in the President’s Youth Award Programme.
The programme aims to uplift and promote development to the youth in the facility. Only a few individuals are chosen to participate in the programme.
It requires the assistance of adult volunteer leaders, who empower young people between the ages of 14 and 25, by providing a balanced, non-competitive framework for self-development that will increase their self-esteem and enhance their capacity to achieve in whatever context they find themselves in – enabling them to become responsible active citizens within their communities.
A select few are chosen to be involved in the programme.
Acting regional commissioner for Gauteng, Mandla Mkabela, said the award programme has proven itself to be a powerful developmental tool for young people.
The core of the programme is based on self-development and the four pillars of the programme – skill development, physical recreation, community service and the adventurous journey, which focuses on team building.
He said the completion of the programme equips the individual for further training and fulfilling work in both tertiary institutions and the work place.
“As the youth integrate the values of the programme into their lives, they become empowered, believing that they can turn their dreams into realities. Empowered youth can make informed choices and are less likely to compromise their future,” said Mkabela.
Testimonials were given by inmates Simphiwe Chambale, Nadine Scheep and Julio Mathe who all excelled in the programme.
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