Youth in a safer South Africa
Through a collaboration with stakeholders such as the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, Magistrates, Correctional Services, Department of Basic Education, South African Human Rights Commission, and the Banking Association of South Africa – pupils were taught about the criminal justice value chain.
To celebrate Youth Month, Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) held an awards ceremony for pupils who participated in a crime prevention programme from a school troubled by teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.
SSAF, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Coordinator, Pumza Nyawuza, said 68 pupils who successfully completed the Communities and Justice Programme (CJP) were awarded. The awards ceremony was held at Kwamasosha High School in KwaNzimakwe.
Nyawuza said the major benefit of the crime prevention programme is to improve learner behaviour, both at school and at home. He said the CJP is a bridge between schools and the criminal justice system departments and seeks to dispel myths pupils may hold about criminal justice by exposing participants to facilities such as courts and correctional facilities through experiential learning.
He added that through a collaboration with stakeholders such as the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, Magistrates, Correctional Services, Department of Basic Education, South African Human Rights Commission, and the Banking Association of South Africa – pupils were taught about the criminal justice value chain.
“The training included social aspects such as drug and alcohol abuse, gangsterism, rape, bullying, and violence. These problems are prevalent in schools currently,” said Nyawuza.
The CEO of SSAF, General Riah Phiyega, attended the award ceremony in KwaNzimakwe. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Phiyega highlighted how the alarming rate of crime among young people is growing.
She reflected on the 2021 SAPS crime statistics of the first quarter which revealed that there were 49 rape cases in educational institutions. She further indicated the fact that in that three months over 250 young people were murdered.
Meanwhile, Nyawuza said the event also served as a launch of the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC). He said the essence of the QLTC pledge goes well with the vision of SSAF of a safe learning environment.
“Six pupils received special commendation for their crime prevention essays that have shown great thought leadership. The pupils will be joining pupils from other schools in KZN who will participate in the Youth4SaferSouthAfrica Debate and Leadership Programme that will take place later in the year,” said Nyawuza.
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