Date: 06/06/2003
Source: Department of Correctional Services
Title: Direko: Free State Winners' Gala Evening


WELCOMING ADDRESS BY PREMIER OF THE FREE STATE, MME WINKIE DIREKO, AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRESTIGE WINNERS' GALA EVENING, Bloemfontein, 6 June 2003

Director of the Programme
Minister Skosana
Colleagues in the Executive Council and the Legislature
National Commissioner Mti
Officers
Ladies and Gentlemen

Tonight I feel honoured to welcome the honourable Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ben Skosana, to the Free State Province, whereby he will be officiating and giving awards to the Correctional Services Officials who excelled in their areas of work during 2002. This is happening despite the incidents of corruption which engulfed our prisons last year, whereby our officers were caught red-handed, perpetuating corruption.

We are equally happy to witness here today, events organised by our government to honour men and women in brown who have distinguished themselves and rose above petty corruption, and stood fast to your commitment towards creating a better and safer South Africa.

On behalf of the people of the Free State, we wish to welcome Minister Skosana and entourage to South Africa's land of plenty, the Free State, and to Bloemfontein, the city of Roses. As Nelson Mandela once said: "The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons". Our commitment to these words speak for themselves and we assure you of our commitment to continue reporting any form of corruption in our prisons, whenever it shows its ugly head.

This is a place that has be fought by man, lost by some, and won by others, like these men and women who will be receiving awards today, who saw in it something too rich to give up. As we say in the Free State, honourable Minister: "Kgotso, pula, nala, o amohelehile".

Thank you

Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za)
6 June 2003