MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Francois Ferreira Academy has been associated with Correctional Services in the Western Cape, and in particular in the Garden Route, since December 2018, when it started training for the inmates in Oudtshoorn Correctional Services in customer care.
In March 2019, more inmates were successfully trained in "New Venture Creation", so they would have the skills to open their own business upon their release.
After the training took place, each inmate was required to submit in detail business plans to a panel of judges, and the judges were tasked to choose the most feasible ideas from the 20 presented to them.
In May 2019, the deputy Minister of Tourism was invited to announce the winners and hand out prizes and certificates to the trainees.
In June 2019, an MOU was signed with Delekile Klaas, the Correctional Services regional commissioner for the Western Cape.
The New Venture Creation course was presented again at the Mossel Bay Juvenile Centre in May 2019, and again judges were required to choose the winners of the best business plans, and the prizes were handed out by the chairman of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber.
This training was only made possible due to a generous donation by the Eskom Foundation to the FFA. Further funding is currently being sought so that basic chefs training can take place in George for selected inmates from around the Garden Route.
As part of the Men for Change programme and the pledge by all Protection Services to address the issues of gender-based violence throughout the year with a holistic approach towards crime and the generators of crime, SAPS, DCS, EST, Fire and Rescue and Traffic signed a pledge on 28 January to better working relationships.
During this session all protection services were requested to enter the Potjie/Obstacle Course programme.
For the Potjie King Competition on 18 March at Ruiterbos Lodge, chef Francois Ferreira and his partner, Denise Lindley, will act as judges.
There will be about 10 teams competing from the various sections of Correctional Services. The teams will be required to complete an exciting obstacle race while the potjie is being prepared and cooked, so come along and join in the fun.
If any of the protection services (SAPS, DCS, DOH, Traffic, Provincial Traffic, security companies and emergency services) would like to take part, they should contact Alma Kritzinger (akritzinger@mosselbay.gov.za or 044 606 5251) or Alvin Jacobs (alvin.jacobs@dcs.gov.za or 044 690 3740).
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