Deputy Minister Makwetla urges youth to emulate the class of 1976 in fighting crime today
Justice and Correctional Service Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla says the youth of 1976 were pioneers in social change who contributed in building the South Africa of today. He said it was a misnomer to label such a class of patriotic youth as a lost generation, as today's youth should emulate their example in dealing with social challenges facing South Africa today which include crime, drugs and corruption.
Deputy Minister Makwetla was addressing hundreds of congregants including male and female offenders who gathered for a special church service held at the Meadowlands Anglican Church in Soweto today (12 June 2016), to mark the 40th commemoration of the June 16 uprisings.
Mr Makwetla described the initiative of the church as a "source of immense inspiration" as the nation remembers the Soweto uprisings that left hundreds dead, thousands maimed, dreams shattered, thousands of youth exiled and many families unable to find closer as hundreds of graves of their loved ones cannot be traced outside of South Africa.
Deputy Minister Makwetla urged today's young people to introspect and engage in addressing today's national challenges, including saving young people who could be described as a lost generation for perpetrating crime and destroying public property.
He said: "We can make South Africa one of the most humane societies that offer its citizens the best opportunities and experience to be better persons. Every individual has to make a contribution as South Africa can only be right when we do something about it instead of expecting someone else to bring change. We must be the good people we want to see and fight corruption in whatever manner it manifests itself. Corruption is nothing other than selfishness, greed and self-interest and use of shortcuts to attain one's ambitions. There is corruption everywhere in South Africa and levels are shocking."
"Those who passed on in the struggle for freedom was not in it for their personal benefit, but for others and for the realization of a better country", said Deputy Minister Makwetla. He also said: "Let's all join hands to engage and help offenders to discover where they went wrong and to change their ways. We will not succeed if we continue to believe they are so devious and do not belong in our midst, because there are many first time offenders who erred in their lives and should be given a second chance."
The thanked the Anglican Parish for being a great partner in correction offending behaviour among offenders. He said the government's restorative justice programme suffers because of, among others, untraceable victims. He said the church could assist as perpetrators, victims and their families are in the church. He said, with families' effectively participating in rehabilitation and corrections "we are bound to succeed".
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
