October 21, 2005
By Buhle Makabane
YOUNG people can choose not to turn to a life of crime; "youth at risk " in Soweto are to be given the opportunity to break free of the trap of crime through a recreation programme aimed at helping to change behaviour patterns.
Run by Khulisa Services, a non-governmental organisation specialising in intervention programmes, it is part of the City's Safety Strategy.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Tladi, Soweto, on Wednesday, 19 October, Khulisa manager Elza Cilliers said the initiative to empower youth at risk was a great venture because it not only helped them learn life skills, but also restored relationships and developed communities.
The first 20 youngsters to benefit from the programme were drawn from schools around Tladi, some of whom had been referred to the Tladi Skills Development Centre by the Johannesburg magistrate's court.
The intervention programme is being funded by the City, which is also providing the venues. The City Safety Strategy was put in place to combat crime and grime and create an investor-friendly environment. It was approved by the council in August 2004 and pulls together the programmes and initiatives of City departments under one umbrella.
Youngsters were identified as a priority and Khulisa was selected to conduct education and awareness programmes. Khulisa is an isiZulu word meaning "to nurture the child". The non-profit organisation is a Section 21 company dedicated to reducing crime.
This is achieved through youth and community development programmes in disadvantaged areas and rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for youth at risk and in conflict with the law.
According to South African Police Service statistics, crimes committed by young offenders are on the increase in Johannesburg.
Jabu Dlamini, the City's safety strategy geographic focus area co-ordinator, said that as part of the City Safety Strategy, a number of prevention options to keep young people away from crime were considered.
Of these, Khulisa's diversion programmes were chosen. The programme encourages youngsters to be accountable for their actions, helps them to reintegrate into their families and communities, and interact with people affected by crime. The aim of the programme is to promote reconciliation and prevent negative consequences for the youngsters.
The programme would help them to not get criminal records, Dlamini explained. Emphasis is placed on changing behaviour.
According to the City's economic development unit, which funds the programme, the diversion option sought not only to keep the youngster out of the criminal justice system, but also to change problematic and risky behaviour.
It said the programme was equally applicable to those who had already committed a crime as to those deemed to be youth at risk who could foul of the law at a later stage.
For the next six weeks the 20 youngsters will attend a two-hour session once a week. On the first day they were given an overview of the course and discussions were held on the need for such a programme. During the session they were asked to suggest topics of value to them, which would form part of their debates in forthcoming sessions.
Topics that will be discussed include violence and crime, children and their rights, loss, falling in love, family problems, anger and alcohol. The programme aims to turn lives around for these young adults and children - restore their shattered dreams and aspirations, and resolve their drug problems and other issues.
One of the participants described how he had started smoking dagga as a youngster of about 13. "The only day I missed a smoke was when I was arrested and spent the day at a local police station."
Today this young man is determined to beat his addiction and he thanked the City for sponsoring the programme.
Another participant wanted to learn more about the outside world and discover ways of coping with it without getting hurt or hurting other people.
During the programme participants will be offered mentoring support by trained facilitators and at the end will receive certificates. Khulisa's new direction diversion programmes will be launched in Alexandra next week and in Westbury in the near future.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
