MAKHADO – Warders at the Sinthumule/Kutama Maximum Prison, who have shown dedication and commitment in the performance of their duties over the past three years with the correctional facility, received certificates and trophies during the awards ceremony held at the centre last Thursday.

According to the prison director, Mr Alfred Makgaila, his management encouraged the staff members to continue with their good work. Makgaila, who also appealed to warders to continue doing their best, said that the awards ceremony will take place every three years.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Correctional Services, the chief deputy-commissioner, Mr VP Petersen, said that the ceremony for rewarding outstanding performance by warders is important, as it is aimed at making a profession in the correctional system a career of first choice. He said that, if the recipients of the awards did not put a lot of pride into their work, they would have not been identified for excellent standards of work if they did not deserve it.

“People can only display pride in their work when they enjoy what they do and derive a measure of satisfaction from it,” he said. Petersen, who commended the recipients for their vision and willingness to give recognition to standards of excellence, said that they have gone the proverbial extra mile, but further stipulated that the awards should not be an end in itself.

“It should motivate you to even reach greater heights. It should act as a spur for you to go to the next level of achievement,” he said. The chief deputy-commissioner added that it was necessary for warders to measure their own performances in their workplace as well as those of their colleagues. Petersen said that the awards must never be construed as an attempt to cause division within the ranks of the colleagues, but rather be seen as an instrument to improve themselves.

“Our primary focus should be on correcting offending behaviour in a secure environment where development takes place with the goal of rehabilitation and ultimate re-integration into communities,” he said. As a friendly reminder, Petersen said that it was crucial for SACM to implement the processes of the remission of sentence for sentenced offenders with care and diligence. “We should avoid making errors at all costs. We have given the country the assurance that we will not put the safety of the public at risk and my appeal to you is to make sure that we honour that,” he said.

A highly motivated sports warder, Fhedzisani Roman Mulaudzi, who has already received more than 40 silver medals in marathons, was nominated as the best sportsperson of the year. Tshililo Patrick Gadisi received a merit award for completing his BA in Humanities and B Tech in Correctional Management.

Solomon Makhuvha was recognised as the best educational provider of the year. Masala Govheni and Jeffrey Kutama, employee of the year in 2002 and 2003, received honorary awards, while Nthambeleni Ramanala, the 2004 employee of the year, received an award for his commitment to his responsibilities and contributions to strategic goal achievements. For her full involvement in the rehabilitation of offenders, Molatelo Rantlhangwe was given a community leadership award.

Other warders who received awards are Mr Gus van der Walt, Ishmael Khodobo and Paul Phadziri, who assisted the centre in achieving accreditation of service from the SABS last year, making SACM the only correctional facility on the African continent to be awarded the accreditation.