Leeuwkop Correctional Service hosted the Gauteng Region offender’s graduation ceremony on 19 September. Inmates received certificates, diplomas and degrees from different higher learning institutions.
The Gauteng Correctional Service offers various programmes to rehabilitate offenders, with education being one of those. The graduation ceremony saw family members of offenders travel from different parts of the country to celebrate the memorable event with the graduates from Gauteng TVET colleges and the University of South Africa.
Maxam Onasis was the highest achiever in the certificates category and mining engineering diploma graduate Ernest Thema was named the highest achiever in the diploma group. Dirk Hanekom got a standing ovation from the audience after he was honoured with a Bachelor of Theology with 19 distinctions.
The highest-ranked qualification at the ceremony was awarded to Ofense Moamogoe who graduated with a masters in communication. “It’s something that I’ve deliberately worked hard for, it is an achievement. I feel great to have used the time behind bars to develop myself. I walked in here probably as a caterpillar and my intention is to fly out like a butterfly.”
Moamogoe added that his qualification is not mainly for employment but to inspire the society
Gauteng Regional Commissioner of Correctional Services, Grace Molatedi, explained how offenders acquire their qualification. “We first make sure that security is not compromised at any level and offenders are granted an opportunity to study. They have access to computer labs to complete assignments and we have partnered with a number of higher learning institutions. We do have educators within the correctional service offering their guidance and support.
“We will also identify those who are close to being released and try to link them to different NGOs and businesses for them to be able to acquire employment.” Molatedi concluded that graduate offenders will also help in educating other offenders.
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