South African History Online

The Opening of the Emthonjeni Youth Centre

Pretoria, 25 August 1998

Cabinet Ministers;
Distinguished Guests;
Student-Prisoners,

We all know that crime is a serious problem for our nation and economy, and
that we must do something jointly and decisively about it. We also know that it
is a complex problem that has many causes which we have to tackle in a
co-ordinated way. What happens in our prison system is a critical part of our
fight against crime, and I am therefore pleased to be taking part in the launch
of an initiative which has the potential to make a real difference.

First of all, it is good to see that we have moved away from the culture of
apartheid where prisoners were inhumanly treated. By denying the humanity that
is in all of us, it robbed prisoners of their dignity. And precisely because it
does so, such an approach tends to perpetuate a production cycle of more and
worse offenders who terrorise our society.

We have to create a culture that will motivate offenders to become
law-abiding and productive citizens. They need to be re-integrated back into the
community because we want them to contribute to the good of all. The youth, our
nation's future, are especially important in that regard.

If centres of this kind put the emphasis on youth development rather than
imprisonment it is for a very good reason. Persons under the age of 21 years are
extremely vulnerable. They are also at an age when they are most likely to
respond positively to efforts aimed at mending their young lives and preparing
them to be worthy and valuable citizens.

Of course, imprisonment is a punishment, and rightly so. Those who break the
law must pay the price. But we should also use it as a starting point for
development and a process of healing.

It is true and no secret that I adore children regardless of who and what
they are and there is no reason why I should ignore the 11,700 juvenile
offenders we have in our prisons today. I have deep contempt for any criminal
activity and I am aware that there is so much fear, pain and suffering caused by
crime in our country.

Government will not tolerate crime.

However, it does not mean that we have to ignore offenders. They are part of
our society's problem and rejecting them is not going to solve the problem of
crime. They are human beings too, they are our brothers, sisters, our sons and
daughters who have disappointed us. They have the right to a chance to unlock
their potential to better themselves.

And so we have an enormous responsibility as South Africans towards our
prisoners, especially young first-time offenders who have their lives ahead of
them.

Government for its part is transforming the prison system and the treatment
of offenders, both as part of the creation of a democratic society and in order
to reduce crime. Part of the endeavour is the building of facilities such as
development centres and forming educational programmes for juveniles.

One of the ways in which Youth Development Centres can contribute to our
objectives is by changing prisons into safety institutions in which young
offenders are separated from older prisoners. Gone are the days when juvenile
offenders were at the mercy of hardened criminals and had to share facilities
with them. Not only did this hold great danger for their personal safety, but it
also led to our prisons becoming schools of crime.

Such transformation will, no doubt, also strengthen the authorities in their
efforts to make our prisons more secure. It is essential that those whom the
courts sentence would know that they will only leave prison when they are
lawfully released. That is what the public expects of the authorities.
Unfortunately there are officials who betray their calling in such ways as
assisting in escapes from custody or in the smuggling of weapons or illegal
substances.

This is part of the wider cancer of corruption that is undermining our
efforts in all areas of society. We have learnt now that even those people with
whom we fought the struggle against apartheid's corruption can themselves become
corrupted. The government appointed Judge Health to expose corruption in
government. He is doing a good job and we will continue to encourage him.

In the same way we encourage Correctional Services in its efforts to root out
the minority of corrupt elements who undermine the work of the majority of
officials, men and women of integrity working under difficult conditions.

Ladies and gentlemen;

If the establishment of youth development centres is to succeed in creating
an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and development, we must foster
co-responsibility for personal development and growth on the part of juveniles
themselves as well as their families.

That is why the Department of Correctional Services has instituted out-reach
programmes to involve the community. Parents must actively participate in the
process by motivating their children. We all need to join hands to rescue these
youngsters and transformer them into worthy and respected citizens of our
country. We owe it to them and we owe it to ourselves.

Young people themselves must play their part. Through dedication, hard work
and commitment they can help themselves. In doing so they will also help counter
the atmosphere of entitlement that is too often leading young people to abuse
what we are doing to equip our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow.

May I therefore in conclusion address a few words to the young people with us
today. I urge you to grasp the opportunity before you - such opportunities are
rare. Your destiny is in your hands.

One of the ways in which Youth Development Centres can contribute to our
objectives is by changing prisons into safety institutions in which young
offenders are separated from older prisoners. Gone are the days when juvenile
offenders were at the mercy of hardened criminals and had to share facilities
with them. Not only did this hold great danger for their personal safety, but it
also led to our prisons becoming schools of crime.

Such transformation will, no doubt, also strengthen the authorities in their
efforts to make our prisons more secure. It is essential that those whom the
courts sentence would know that they will only leave prison when they are
lawfully released. That is what the public expects of the authorities.
Unfortunately there are officials who betray their calling in such ways as
assisting in escapes from custody or in the smuggling of weapons or illegal
substances.

This is part of the wider cancer of corruption that is undermining our
efforts in all areas of society. We have learnt now that even those people with
whom we fought the struggle against apartheid's corruption can themselves become
corrupted. The government appointed Judge Health to expose corruption in
government. He is doing a good job and we will continue to encourage him.

In the same way we encourage Correctional Services in its efforts to root out
the minority of corrupt elements who undermine the work of the majority of
officials, men and women of integrity working under difficult conditions.

Ladies and gentlemen;

If the establishment of youth development centres is to succeed in creating
an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and development, we must foster
co-responsibility for personal development and growth on the part of juveniles
themselves as well as their families.

That is why the Department of Correctional Services has instituted out-reach
programmes to involve the community. Parents must actively participate in the
process by motivating their children. We all need to join hands to rescue these
youngsters and transformer them into worthy and respected citizens of our
country. We owe it to them and we owe it to ourselves.

Young people themselves must play their part. Through dedication, hard work
and commitment they can help themselves. In doing so they will also help counter
the atmosphere of entitlement that is too often leading young people to abuse
what we are doing to equip our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow.

May I therefore in conclusion address a few words to the young people with us
today. I urge you to grasp the opportunity before you - such opportunities are
rare. Your destiny is in your hands. You have wronged society and you are being
punished accordingly. Make this the turning point in your life. We are
developing this kind of institution because we have confidence in what you can
become. Take up the challenge and earn your rightful places in the community.
Your success will open the way for many others to rebuild their lives and to
help build our nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great privilege for me to declare the Emthonjeni Youth Department
Centre officially open.

I thank you all.