Motivational talk for pupils
Members from the Back 2 Basic project in Kempton Park visited pupils at Tembisa High School on Wednesday last week.
The group held a motivational talk against crime.
Ms Karin Duffey is the founder of the Back 2 Basic project and is also a former Magistrate at the Tembisa District Court.
She said they are aiming to make school children aware of the fact that the court is their friend and can assist them if they utilise it for the right reasons.
“We wanted to teach the children about respect, discipline, loyalty, and obedience. Pupils should respect their parents, teachers and other people. They should not burn anything, which includes school facilities, whenever they are angry. We are here to unite South Africans as a whole against criminal activity in a positive manner,” she added.
Ms Duffey, who served as a Magistrate for 22 years, said pupils should know that crime does not pay. Pupils should also be aware that having a criminal record could destroy their future.
“I resigned from being a Magistrate to start sharing my experiences with South Africans. Our community members are ignoring the basic things that should be taught and implemented for the future generation of this country. Some people are no longer disciplined. It starts with the basic things to become a better leader or person,”she said.
Ms Duffey said they are encouraging pupils to not use drugs or alcohol.
During her visit to Tembisa High, Ms Duffey was accompanied by ex-convict Ms Sanet Pollak, who was in prison for six years at the Johannesburg female prison, near Sun City.
Ms Pollak, who has since been released from prison, told the pupils that crime does not pay.
“It does not help to take the easy way in life. Crime brings a lot of damage to your life,” she said.
Ms Pollak, who said she had seen juveniles in prison, spoke about the humiliation, stripping and danger of constant of fights in prison.
She shared the reality of prison with the pupils. According to Ms Pollak, she used to call prison the University of crime.
“There is a lot of crime right inside the prison. Some people even get infected with HIV/Aids. There is no nice food or even enough food for an individual. There is no hot water to bath during the day,” she said. One of the teachers at Tembisa High School, Ms Lindiwe Nkosi, said the motivational talk was in line with what is happening in the school.
“We have some pupils who smoke dagga. We are happy the Back 2 Basic team paid a visit to our school because this is what the pupils needed to hear. The talk had a positive impact on the pupils. We appreciate the gesture and hope they come again. We also hope they visit other schools,” she said.
