Secure Care Centre: Bloemfontein
13 July 2007
Programme Director
Deputy Minister for Social Development Dr Jacobs
MEC Dlungwana
Respective Mayors and Councillors
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish to begin by first acknowledging the presence amongst us of the Deputy
Minister of Social Development, Dr Jacobs. We are truly honoured that you could
be with us today. We gather this morning to witness the official opening of the
Bloem Secure Care Centre for juveniles. I am in deed pleased to be part of this
important occasion that marks a significant chapter in our interventions as
government to effectively and efficiently address juvenile delinquency and
other factor associated with it.
Our country is currently faced with numerous challenges that need to be
overcome in order to ensure a better life for all South Africans. Crime
prevention, the fight against HIV/AIDS, job creation and economic development
are some of the priority issues on the government's agenda. What is of grave
concern is that our youth are the once most affected by these challenges
Today's occasion should be a clear indication of our commitment to seek
innovative approaches and comprehensive strategies to advance the cause of
youth development and cement our belief that today's youth is tomorrow's
nation. Bring down the wall that separate those from morality chase away the
dark shadows, which darkens their steps to their dreams.
During this second year of our second decade of democracy, we look back with
the sense of tribulation and triumph that indeed our democracy is deepening
daily; the lives of our people are improving and the culture of human rights
being embraced by all and sundry. We should be aware the building a South
Africa that is safe and secure for its entire people remains a key challenge in
our present dispensation. We should also acknowledge that despite our
achievements, crime remains one of government's greatest concerns. For us to
effectively deal with crime, we need a holistic, rational and humane approach
that will help us understand both the causes and manifestations of crime in our
communities.
We have to be cognisant of the fact that meaningful crime prevention
requires mass participation in order to be effective. Our commitment in
ensuring people's participation has yielded benefits in the past and we will
continue to call upon mass participation in the fight against crime.
Our government has always encouraged and supported programmes that are aimed
at diverting young people away from the criminal justice system into programmes
that make them accountable for their actions. Various interventions by
government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been instrumental in
the rehabilitation of many offenders, especially the youth, thus enabling them
to face up to their convictions and therefore change their lives for the
better. There is a need for government to work together with various
non-governmental organisations and civil society in general in the
reintegration of ex-offenders into society and thus making a significant
contribution to breaking the cycle of crime.
The establishment of the Bloem Secure Care Centre is a direct response to
the need to provide an integrated approach aimed at the prevention, treatment
and diversion of juveniles who are involved and/or more likely to become
involved in crime. The objective is to ensure that these children aged between
14 and 17 years are contained in these facilities while awaiting trial or
sentencing. We are aware of the dangers that young offenders are faced with in
police holding cells and in prisons. Through this intervention we hope that
juvenile offenders in these centres can be exposed to programmes that will
enable them access to informal education as well as counselling to help face
the consequences of their actions and provide hope for them once they are
reintegrated into society.
I would like to emphasise the continued determination of the government to
provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to young offenders. Government
offers various programmes in the field of social work services, education,
vocational training, psychological services, moral and spiritual enlightenment,
personal development and pre-release preparation. I would like to solicit the
co-operation of non-governmental organisations to partner government for us to
collectively enable ex-offenders to take responsibility for their lives and
reconcile with their families and the community by equipping them with the
tools of self-empowerment and the belief in their own self-worth.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Free State Provincial Government
13 July 2007
