BARBERTON – Ligwalagwala FM led by its manager, Mr Rio Mabunda and the MEC for community, safety, security and liaison, MrVusi Shongwe took the station’s Tjintja Guluva programme to the Barberton Juvenile Centre, with the aim of discouraging inmates from resorting back to crime and also assuring them that there was still hope for them.
Addressing a group of inmates here, Mabunda appealed to the public to open their hands and hearts for ex-offenders when they are released back to intotheir respective communities.
He said it was important for communities and ex-offenders to find amicable ground so that they did not revert back to criminal activities which would either lead them back to prison or end their lives.
“We are here to show you that we care and to let you know that it’s never too late to start afresh and lead a positive life. It doesn’t matter anymore what caused you to end up in this place, what matters is how you lead your lives from here on because when you get out of here, your communities expects a changed person who will contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. As a radio station we will continually engage our communities to learn to forgive and welcome you back. Basically, we are saying tjintja guluva, tjintja clever,” said Mabunda.
He appealed to offenders to change and strive to build better relationships with the communities they come from if they were to earn respect and trust again.
He said after seeing that the programme was bearing fruit, they decided not to discontinue it but rather take it to another level.
Shongwe, a known staunch crime buster, warned the youth against short cuts, arguing that it often lead to prison or into troubled waters.
“The department supports this programme and any other programmes aimed at fighting crime in our province. We also want to make a call, especially to young people, to shun away from criminal activities and work towards making this country a better and safe place to live in.
There are no short cuts in life. Young people must learn to work for what they want. As for those of you that are in this place, there is hope and we hope that you will come out of here changed people and help us discourage criminal behaviour out there,” said Shongwe.
Shongwe, who had brought a number of high school learners to witness prison life first-hand, committed his department’s support to the programme and asked for the programme not to be terminated.
