Empangeni hosts National Chaplains conference

QALAKABUSHA Correctional Services was selected to host the Annual National Chaplains Conference which has been running all this week.

Themed: ‘Redefining the role of the chaplain within a correctional context’, it is aimed at offender rehabilitation and victim offender mediation.

‘The purpose is to empower and define the role of a Chaplain.

‘The importance of rehabilitation and the involvement of the community and churches to help re-introduce offenders into society is essential,’ said Correctional Services National Director of Spiritual Care, Reverend Hennie Human.

The role of a Correctional Services chaplain is to minister to offenders.

However, the department intends to take a new direction of ministering to victims of crime as well.

‘Our spiritual care programmes entail self image value, family reconstruction and overall rehabilitation.

‘Community involvement is a necessity to spiritually bind offenders with churches or faith groups and make community members aware of their role as rehabilitation assistants to offenders who have been reintegrated into society,’ said Human.

The high esteemed chaplaincy consisting of 1400 spiritual workers has been in existence pre-1994 and has shifted focus toward rural areas, thus making Empangeni the first location.

‘A chaplain is a spiritual care manger, who is expected to ensure that all denominations and faiths have opportunity to minister to offenders.

‘All chaplains belong to a congregation and must be ordained ministers and qualified in theological studies.

‘The Department of Correctional Services recruits chaplains to do full time ministry,’ said Human.

Empangeni Qalakabusha Correctional Services Management Chaplain, Oscar Madlala welcomed fellow chaplains.

‘It is such a privilege for a remote area like Empangeni to host this esteemed conference.

‘It gives good recognition to our spiritual care management team and highlights the programmes we play a part of to positively affect society,’ he said.