MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The acting national commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services visited Mossel Bay in December.
Makgothi Thobakgale told inmates at the Mossel Bay Youth Centre that he saw an expression of "love, progress, and change" in their Christmas decorations, which is why he made an impromptu visit to the centre.
Thobakgale had a thorough walk-through of the facility on Thursday, 30 December.
He was shown the vegetable garden, which is part of the Agriculture Division at the youth centre.
During 2005 a process in the Southern Cape management area was started, focusing on the development of the agriculture division in order to produce vegetables. The purpose for this was to work towards the youth centre supplying its own vegetables, as opposed to buying them from external service providers.
Mossel Bay was identified as the ideal centre for developing this agricultural project, due to the availability of 14 hectares of unused land.
The youth centre supplies vegetables to other centres throughout the Southern Cape Management Area.
Some of the decorations the prisoners created.
Decorations
"When I saw photographs of the handmade decorations in your cells, which is a testimony of your attitude while you are here in the centre. It made me think – maybe I must come and meet you," Thobakgale told the inmates during his one-on-one engagement with them.
Acting head of the youth centre, Xolani Phiti, shared photographs of the inmates' Christmas decorations on a WhatsApp group for DCS officials, which caught Thobakgale's attention and sparked this interest in visiting Mossel Bay.
Acting area commissioner, Johan Vermaak, gave an overview of the South Cape management area, which includes nine correctional centres. In his response, Thobakgale said that the presentations were insightful as they gave a clear overview of measurable performance.
Makgothi Thobakgale
"What makes today's visit notable, is the fact that it offers a centre-based perspective. There must, however, be a real story about what keeps you where you are in terms of sustainable performance and for you to achieve the desired results. To some, those stories may seem unimportant details, but to me they are very important. This is the main reason for my coming here today," Thobakgale said.
He said the Correctional Services Department wanted to give credit where good work was done and aimed to encourage and support such centres.
"The work that happens at correctional centres, sits at the centre of breaking the cycle of crime. We are looking for centres that can serve as an example to others."
He urged the inmates to make the best use of their opportunity towards reform and development, whilst in the care of the Department of Corrections.
"We are part of your life and family now, whether you like it or not. We want to help you live a different life."
Thobakgale was accompanied by Delekile Klaas, Correctional Services regional commissioner.
A drawing to inspire hope.
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