Correctional Services uplift pupils in Nkomazi on Mandela Day
The community outreach programme was supported by various community stakeholders and served to highlight the plight of poverty faced by children in Jeppes Reef.
The Department of Correctional Service’s (DCS) Barberton management area partnered with several stakeholders for a community outreach programme on Friday July 19, to combat the plight of food insecurity of the underprivileged children in Buyani Primary School in Jeppes Reef, in commemoration of International Nelson Mandela Day.
As part of their 67 minutes at the school, a vegetable garden was established with seeds donated by the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, and 25 pairs of school shoes were donated courtesy of Liberty Life.
The commissioner of the Barberton management area, Midjohn Mhlongo, said the DCS sought to celebrate Tata Madiba’s birthday by intensifying the campaign to highlight the plight of the vulnerable people, particularly children, and instil Madiba’s values and principles to make a positive impact in the life of future leaders.
“This initiative is aligned with the DCS’s mandate of changing the lives of offenders by affording them the opportunity to give back to communities and demonstrate remorse for the crimes they committed against communities. The vegetable garden established by the parolees is one of the food security methods aimed at providing a sustainable source of the school’s nutrition programme.”
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Sydwell Blangwe of Liberty Life said education remains an important pillar and builds a solid educational foundation for young learners, which sets them on a journey towards financial inclusion and freedom. “As an organisation we want to be around the communities in the best ways possible, especially where education is concerned. Through the Liberty Winter Shoe Drive, we hope to change the lives of disadvantaged pupils by giving them an opportunity to succeed,” Blangwe said.
The programme was supported by various community stakeholders, such as Ndvuna Ephraim Shongwe of the Matsamo Tribal Authority, the manager of the Malalane Circuit, Philmon Shekwe, Ward Councillor Sifiso Ngomane and the school governing body.
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The spokesperson of the Barberton management area, Opheliah Motloutsi, said this programme at the school is ongoing. “Parolees will embark on a project to revamp the school, such as repainting walls and helping the pupils to take care of the garden. We have heeded the call that Mandela Day is not a holiday, but a day dedicated to service that will improve the lives of people in the community,” she said.
