Programme Director, Mr Saba Mbixane
Kumkani Ah Zwelibanzi
Iinkosi
President of Eastern Cape Soccer Legends, Dr Zukile Luyenge
Honourable members of parliament
ANC cadres here present
Our Area Commissioner, Mr Gaqa
All sponsors
Management and all our officials
Distinguished guest
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
From the time we came in, last night, it became apparent that today is going to stand out as a triumph of life! On our arrival, the heavens smiled, welcoming us, warmly with the rain. Such blessings, tell us one thing and one thing only, that with patience, every challenge can be turned into “a new beginning” and every wrong turn, offers possibilities for “a second chance”. Only with PATIENCE can we do these things!
We were humbled by the many patriots who dared the rain, by coming out in their numbers, to kick-start this important sport equipment handover ceremony, made possible by selfless activists among us.
Tributes
We thank most warmly iinkosi zethu for supporting us so much. I also want to thank Umphakathi wase Mthatha for helping our government, in all manner of ways, to deliver a better life for all. It is only with your support that we can make everyone in South Africa feel safe, and be safe!
Dr Luyenge, and the Eastern Cape Soccer Legends, you have made us all proud, by pulling this splendid work together. You deserve a big round of applause!
A special “thank you” to Tshepo for remembering to give back to the community “that made you who you are”! When you gave me the football jersey, last night, you said you are giving it to me to pass it on to your brothers behind bars. Your wish is my command! We thank all our management teams and correctional officials who have dedicated themselves to the work of turning offenders into better persons, worthy of a second chance.
Our moment of glory
The handover ceremony is very timely as it takes place only two months before the big moment we’ve been waiting for, with bated breath, that is, the world’s greatest sporting event, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting June 11, on our shores. There is no happier time in the sporting life of our nation than the moment Sepp Platter, FIFA President, drew the BIG WHITE ENVELOPE with South Africa inscribed all over it. That was an experience all patriotic South Africans, and Africans on the continent, will always remember.
Having the 2010 FIFA World Cup on our shores, as a new democracy, in Africa, miles away from the imperial centre, has made all of us proud to be Africans! Until that historic moment, who would have thought that a new democratic state located among those deemed to be “the wretched of the earth”, in the so-called “heart of darkness”, would one day be bestowed such an honour of hosting the prestigious 2010 FIFA World Cup?
We all deserve a round of applause for having smelled, seen, touched and tasted freedom and the FIFA World Cup in our life time!
Importance of football in the Department of Correctional Services
Using the beautiful game of football, we will spread the spirit of patriotism and love for one’s country, among our inmates. The games will give us a chance to get them to embrace New Beginnings, new possibilities. We are ready to give them a second chance; but, they must be prepared to commit to that second chance.
Together we can do more to redeem offenders from the futility of crime!
Promoting football, in all our correctional centres, is the best way of ensuring the world cup is supported by all, including, football lovers, who will not be at the games for all manner of reasons, such as imprisonment.
This is in keeping with the Freedom Charter, which says: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white”. And so, all of us, including inmates, deserve a chance to feel the joyous mood flowing from football! They remain citizens of our country, even when they did us wrong.
2010 FIFA World Cup in Correctional Services
In the last two years, we launched a Correctional Services Football competition in support of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Our decision, in this regard, stems from the resolve to use the world cup as a platform of showcasing the phenomenal talent we have identified and nurtured among offenders. This is one way of ensuring that some of these offenders join our country’s football clubs on release.
We have already launched the tournament in all our regions. The regional tournaments will help us to select two best teams, of offenders, from each region. After which, we will host a national tournament, in May 2010, where our best twelve teams will battle it out for the trophy, less than a month before the opening game, between South Africa and Mexico, at Soccer City.
Budget vote
This important occasion takes place only two days after my budget vote speech, delivered in Parliament, on Thursday, 25 March. In my address, I placed particular attention on rehabilitation, saying it is at the centre of all our departmental activities and can only be achieved in partnerships with all our people and stakeholders. Today is testimony to that fact!
Focusing on re-education of offenders, as required by the White Paper on Corrections and the Freedom Charter, enables us better to treat inmates with dignity.
Another priority we stressed in the budget vote speech is strengthening our work with the Inspecting Judge of Correctional Services, the Honourable Judge Van Zyl. Working together with him, we will discharge, diligently, our duty to ensure the protection of the human rights of all inmates in our care. But inmates must remember, at all times, rights come with responsibilities.
Offender labour is one of important ways of restoring the dignity of offenders. We have committed to engaging them in more constructive work; seeing to it that they acquire the necessary skills that will help them fit properly in society. Education and skilling are what will guarantee that we defend the gains made by hosting the 2010.
Conclusion
Lastly, my message to our inmates is that they should take advantage of this help they are getting from people like Tshepo and our Veterans, the Legends of Soccer and from all of us to change their lives for the better. If your people are willing to forgive you in spite of your wrong doing, you should also be able to turn your backs on crime and to do good for your people. Bafana-Bafana is waiting for your skills!
Ndiyabulela!
Enquiries:
David Hlabane
Cell: 082 052 3499
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
27 March 2010
