Lesley Ann reports on her trip to Australia for the NESA Conference

It was indeed a privilege for me to have been invited by NESA (National Employment Services Association) to present two papers at the Working Communities International Conference in Cairns, Australia, between 11 and 13 August.

Khulisa was granted a slot on the first day during the plenary session. The heading of my paper was "Effectively Reintegrating Offenders into Society". On day two I co-presented with Roy Newey from A4e on our joint relationship and specifically our proposed project on the KwaZulu National Correctional Facilities.

The feedback from participants was extremely positive with much interest being demonstrated in Khulisa's Ubuntu and 'Silence the Violence' programmes.

With the financial support of A4e, Khulisa is looking at bringing out Richard Ahmat, from the Cape York area (the furthest Northern port of Australia) during mid-September, in order for him to get to know our programmes firsthand. It is our intention that, in partnership with 

A4e, Khulisa and Richard Ahmat, a funding application can be submitted to the Australian government.

I will keep you posted.

Lesley Ann

For more infor

mation on NESA: www.workforce-participation.com.au/program.html

For more information on A4e Australia please visit: www.a4e.com

Richard Ahmat's profile can be viewed on: www.balkanu.com.au/corporate/directors.html

Phoenix is another step closer

The KZN/Durban North Cluster had a fantastic Women's Day function on 14 August 2008. The day was held in partnership with the Phoenix Crisis Centre. The theme this year was "Another Step Closer...". Domestic violence still plagues the community, so we used the day to workshop concerns around domestic violence and how best to empower women to break the cycle of crime. Our guest speaker was Betty Rawheath, ARMSA representative and magistrate from the Verulam Court. It was a day filled with fun, laughter and give-aways - ice-breakers were facilitated by Kim and Deshree. The women were also treated to a hand therapy session by the Phoenix staff.

Making It Better in Fochville

Maxine's engagement ring!

So, we've all heard that Max is engaged - but how many of you have seen the ring?
Here it is! Congrats MAX! You go girl!

Khulisa Leave a Legacy

Irene, Victor, Vanessa and Yashina at a coffee break between sessions...
"Angie's been with me for 21 years" and they've both been at Khulisa since its inception...
Les and Angie in the middle of a late night of partying!


The Khulisa Team got together for two wonderful days to discuss our core values and ideas for leaving our Khulisa legacy.
Something that struck me (and a few other colleagues I've spoken to about it) was that everyone in our office has hope for South Africa and incredible dedication, commitment and passion for the work that we do. I am proud to be part of something that changes the world we live in.

Well done MIB KZN for your UN-Habitat Award!

Tidal Waves jams with kids from shelters in Pretoria

If you're in the winning team, this is what your face looks like... Pictures by Regi from Head Office
First we had a fantastic soccer day at the University of Pretoria, sponsored by th High Performance Centre - and then Oppikoppi organised for the reggae band, Tidal Waves, to come and play for the kids. There was a wonderful feeling of achievement all round!

Community Crime Prevention, Kagiso and Westbury

11. Kagiso /Swanneville.
The facilitator reached 120 out of school-going youth.

Findings

➢ A very high rate of unemployment
➢ Substance abuse and boredom are contributing factors to the increasing rate of crime
➢ Common crimes in the area include theft, housebreaking, murder, robbery and rape
➢ Hotsports include open spaces and areas that are not reached by the SAPS

Solutions:
Kagiso

To get the youth involved in activities that would transform their negative attitude to positive

To reduce crime in the area by involving the youth in a cleaning campaign

Cleaning Campaign
Patrolling
Sports and Recreation

Sustainability Plan

A partnership with SAPS and CPF has been formed

Westbury.
The facilitator has reached 25 out of school youth

Findings

➢ Unemployment rate is very high
➢ Substance abuse and boredom plays a major role in the commission of crime.

Solutions:

Westbury
To involve the youth in projects that will keep them away from crime
Cleaning Campaign
Sports and Recreation
Drug Awareness

Sustainability Plan

A partnership has been formed with the local SAPS and CPF

Community Crime Prevention, Mamelodi East and West

Mamelodi East and Stanza Bopape.

The facilitator reached 27 participants

Findings:

➢ The area is situated towards the east side of Pretoria.
➢ It is an old township with a high rate of unemployment (especially amongst the youth)
➢ Common crimes in the area include theft, housebreaking, robbery and rape
➢ Substance abuse and boredom plays a big role in the commission of crime.

Solutions:

Mamelodi East/Stanza Bopape

To reduce and prevent crimes in and around the community by involving the youth in awareness programmes and the dangers of using drugs.

To also involve the youth in different kinds of sports and cultural activities
"Lesedi la Bophelo Youth Group"



Sustainability Plan

Department of Agriculture has donated land and seeds to the youth.
A partnership has been formed with SAPS, CPF and other local stakeholders.

Mamelodi West. The facilitator has reached 33 youth

Findings

➢ A high number of unemployed youth
➢ Common crimes include: housebreaking, theft, assault and rape
➢ Boredom and substance abuse are the main reasons behind the commission of crimes in this area.


Solutions:

Mamelodi West
To reduce crime in the area by creating awareness on the danger of weapons and drugs. "Kopanong Drug Awareness Group"

Involving the young youth in sports


Sustainability Plan

A partnership has been formed with SAPS and the CPF

Community Crime Prevention, Marokolong (Hammanskraal) and Nellmapius

Marokolong (Hammanskraal).
The facilitator reached 29 participants.

Findings:

➢ A very rural area around Hammanskraal in Pretoria
➢ Boredom plays a major role in crime perpetrated by the youth in this area
➢ Housebreaking, mugging and robbery are common especially in the morning and evening. Unused houses and tall bushes are contributing to the problem.

Solutions:

Marokolong

To prevent crime in the area, the youth came up with a cleaning campaign initiative.
"Basha Tsogang Cleaning Campaign and Youth Patrollers"

Sustainability Plan

SAPS and CPF are involved with the training of youth to be community patrollers. Uniforms will be provided to the patrollers.

Nellmapius –
The facilitator reached 48 participants
Findings

➢ An area situated East of Pretoria
➢ Most of the residence are staying in low income houses (RDP) and shacks
➢ A very high rate of unemployment in the area especially amongst the youth
➢ Common crimes in the community include theft, housebreaking, robbery and rape.
➢ Hotspots include open spaces and houses that are not used as criminals use these spaces to hide stolen goods.

Solutions:

Nellmapius

To reduce crime in the area by planting vegetables to give to the disadvantaged community

The youth have also started the Home based care initiative at the Kutlwano Community Centre


Sustainability Plan

The partnership has been developed with the local SAPS, CPF and local business people.

Community Crime Prevention, Eersterus (Hammanskraal)

Eersterus (Hammanskraal)
The facilitator reached 30 youth

Findings

➢ A rural area situated in Hammanskraal North of Pretoria
➢ Unemployment is very high especially amongst the youth
➢ Drugs and alcohol are the main problems
➢ Muggings and robbery are very common and happen during the early hours of the morning and late in the evening when people return from work

Solutions:

Eersterus

To reduce the level of crime in the area by involving the kids in the sports activities.

A cleaning campaign has been started by the participants and the community has been mobilized.


The New Eesterus Youth and Sports Against Crime

Sustainability Plan

A partnership has been established with the local SAPS and other stakeholders.

Community Crime Prevention, Stinkwater

Stinkwater (Hammanskraal)

The facilitator reached 27 youth in this community

Findings:

➢ A rural area situated in Hammanskraal North of Pretoria
➢ High number of unemployment especially amongst the youth in this community
➢ Common crimes in the community are house breaking, cable theft and rape
➢ Drug abuse and boredom are the main reason behind the high crime rate


Solutions:

Stinkwater
To reduce crime in the community by involving the youth in sports activities, traditional dancing and cultural activities
Tshwaraganang Talent Search


Sustainability Plan

A partnership has been established with the local SAPS, CPF and other stakeholders. The future plan is to take over from Khulisa and run independently. The participants were encouraged to enrol as police reservists.

Community Crime Prevention, Meyerton

Meyerton: Facilitators reached 85 youth in the community.

Community Profile: Findings

➢ The route towards and around the taxi rank is regarded as a crime hot spot.
➢ Muggings take place on a daily basis.
➢ High rate of youth unemployment and no facilities. Morale very low because of a lack of support by councilors in some areas.

Solutions:

- Create a clean and healthy environment and a crime free zone
- Sensitize the community to cleanliness and healthy living
- Ensure the peoples safety by escorting them to and from the taxi ranks in the morning and evening after work.
-Engage youth in sporting activities, music and drama as a crime prevention initiative.


Sustainability Plan

The patrolling group is already linked with SAPS and they have integrated them into their time table. Social Development is giving support to the group that is involved in sports and recreation.

Community Crime Prevention, Orange Farm

Orange Farm: 88 youth out of school reached in the community

Community Profile: Findings

➢ Community polluted by bottles, plastics and papers
➢ More open spaces not utilized - criminals get an opportunity mug/ rape people in these areas
➢ Dark passages with no street lights pose a big threat, and regarded as crime hotspot
➢ High rape incidents reported last year

Solutions:

Orange Farm

-Employment generating recycling project to target unemployed youth to clean the environment and open spaces to reduce the level of crime in the area

-To assist learners to address issues like substances abuse, crime and violence in the schools

-Engage learners with sporting activities and recreation

Sustainability Plan

Find gaps in existing Crime Prevention Projects in the area and link them up with their projects. Potential projects to be integrated with the year plan and the Community Safety Plan of Orange Farm. Supt Nilico committed to putting together a panel to appraise projects.

Community Crime Prevention, DAVEYTON

Daveyton: 90 youth out of school reached in the community

Community Profile: Findings

➢ High rate of crime and poverty affecting youth
➢ High rate of traffic incidents by motorists
➢ Lack of support for HIV-Aids patients and unemployed youth

Solutions:

-To reduce the levels of crime by introducing Neighbourhood Watch (increase visibility)
-Reduction of theft and illegal possession of firearms and drugs
-Patrolling 2 wards

Create a clean environment keeping youth busy by contributing positively towards the community, targeting the schools and the local clinic

-Creation of a Youth Support Centre, with provision of Information Services offered by different stakeholders/institutions/organisations
-Tswaranang Crime Fighters


Sustainability Plan:

The group is directly supported and assisted by Councillors and the local stakeholders forum who invited FIETA(Forest Industries Edu &Training Authority) registered with 25 SETA`s for Learnerships bought these opportunity to the youth of Ekurhuleni
Emergency Fire Fighters prepared to train the group on First Aid and fire fighting later during the course of the year

Community Crime Prevention - RATANDA

COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION: RATANDA

Ratanda: 141 youths reached in the community.

Community Profile: Findings;
➢ Alcohol and drug abuse is the problem for both youth and older people
➢ Youth in possession of illegal fire-arms
➢ Youth get into trouble because of boredom and not involved in any recreation and sporting activities

AREA OBJECTIVE IDENTIFIED PROJECT

Ratanda
-To create drug awareness campaigns occupying the youth through sport and recreation

-Drug Awareness Campaign

-Reduction of crime levels though visibility
-Community Patrol Project
(Neighbourhood Watch)

- To reach out to the abused and vulnerable children referred to the Victim Empowerment Centre
-Poverty Alleviation Project

Sustainability Plan:
The participants are linked to the local SAPS, CPF and the Councillors to support the group with resources. The aim is for the group to benefit from the budget allocated to councillors to assist and empower youth

Exciting news from Lesley Ann!

The national Department of Social Development office has just confirmed funding for 5 Mirror Programmes in the following awaiting trial facilities – Newlock, Johannesburg; Pietermaritzburg; Pollsmoor; Grootvlei (Free State); and North End (Eastern Cape).

Khulisa on 3rd degree

Khulisa was recently featured on 3rd Degree Plus (a panel discussion programme on DSTV’s dedicated e-tv show).

Mpumi from Daveyton High, who attended “Silence the Violence” gets a professional make-up session before her appearance and then stands with Khulisa’s Peer Drug Educator Collen outside the studio after investigative journalist Deborah Patter interviewed them on their views of substance abuse.

Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative & Khulisa

Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative & Khulisa
Workshop Programme 6-7 August 2008, 26 General Joubert Street , Polokwane

Day 1:

09:00-09:30 Welcome and keynote address

09:30 - 10:00 - Briefing on the activities of Khulisa and CSPRI
Reports and other related material on the activities of Khulisa and CSPRI
Yashina Pillay & Lukas Muntingh

10:00 -10:45 Overview of the prison system ‘The State of the Nation’s Prisons: 2006 -2007’
JIOP Annual Report Julia Sloth-Nielsen

11:15 – 11:45 Questions and discussion Julia Sloth-Nielsen

11:45 -13:00 The rights of prisoners ‘Prisons in a Democratic South Africa - a Guide to the Rights of Prisoners as Described in the Correctional Services Act and Regulations’
“Prisons in a Constitutional Democracy” Lukas Muntingh

14:00-15:00 Parole and sentence administration ‘Parole Pandemonium’ CSPRI Newsletter No. 14 by Julia Sloth-Nielsen Julia Sloth-Nielsen

15:30-16:30
Key issues for transformation in the prison system – provincial perspectives
Discussion All



Day 2:

09:00:10:00 Combating and Preventing Torture “Preventing and combating torture under CAT and OPCAT – a framework for action”
Jamil Mujuzi and Lukas Muntingh

10:00:11:00 What is the role of civil society in prison reform?
Discussion All

11:15-12:15 Offender reintegration and restorative justice
Khulisa Mirror Programme
Restorative Justice
Zain Halle, Charmaine Monaheng and Thabita Kgobe

12:15 – 13:00 Offender Reintegration Khulisa
My Path
Zain Halle