MAKHADO – Long-term inmates of Kutama-Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison, who successfully completed their studies with Unisa and Stanford Business College, received their certificates during the graduation ceremony held at the Blue Prison Gymnasium last Friday (November 7).

About 45 offenders received the six months Advanced Certificates in Computer Literacy from Stanford Business College, while two inmates received their Adult Based Education and Training Certificates from Unisa.

Phillemon Mogoathle was the only graduate-prisoner, and received his B Comm degree from the University of South Africa. In addition, 15 more inmates received merit awards from the prison, in appreciation of their participation in various programmes offered at the prison.

According to the Managing Director of Kensani Corrections Management, Ms Gomolemo Moshoeu, the acquiring of further knowledge in prison would serve as a lifetime investment to inmates. When asked how and when the prisoners were going to implement what they had learnt, Moshoeu said that some inmates who have already passed the basic Computer Literacy course with Stanford are working as typists at the prison.

She said that others would definitely implement their skills when they walk out of the prison. She expressed her thanks for the support her institution is receiving from Stanford Business College, Techniven and Unisa. "Their demonstration and commitment to contribute towards addressing the offending behaviour through education also forms part of the Government rehabilitation of inmates," she said.

On behalf of Unisa, Prof Louis Molamu said that they are committed to making a contribution to the admirable efforts to turn the correctional facilities from dungeons of desolation and despair into citadels of eternal hope and intellectual success. "I am realistic enough that not all inmates in correctional facilities across the land would change, but some would change, find their personal fulfilment and be reintegrated successfully into society," he said.

Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, gave a message of support to offenders who are faced with a lot of obstacles in their quest to satisfy their personal needs.