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Date
: 02/07/2003
Source: Department of Correctional Services
Title: Mti: African Ministers of Corrections' Conference
SPEECH BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR LINDA MTI,
AT THE AFRICAN MINISTERS OF CORRECTIONS' CONFERENCE, Sandton
Convention Centre, 2 July 2003
Distinguished Commissioners
Senior Members of Corrections
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good morning to all of you
On behalf of our Minister, Mr Ben Skosana, and the Department of
Correctional Services, I would like to extend the warmest South
African welcome to all of you to this seminal conference on the
project of corrections in our region.
This conference is another manifestation of the message that says :
African solutions to African challenges are within our power as
Africans. This is the growing African spirit, that is there in the
motto of the Southern African Development Community, which reads
"Towards a common future". The aim of this conference is to begin
to explore this common future in relation to the field of
corrections.
In these two days, as peers and as colleagues, we will be sharing
experiences and challenges in order to continue to upgrade the
quality and effectiveness of the correctional systems in Southern
Africa with the aim of reaching compliance with international
instruments, norms and standards.
We hope in these two days, to create a mechanism for our Ministers,
supported by ourselves, to meet and engage in productive liaison.
In addition to the alignment of the multi-lateral corrections forum
with the SADC and the African Union it is possible that from this
conference we can ensure that there is political backing to the
interaction between us as officials of corrections.
While we are doing important work as individual agencies of
corrections in our respective countries, I am sure you will agree
that the inclusion of our business into the SADC Review and the
African Union can only add immense value to our
responsibility.
When our Ministers meet tomorrow, a foundation will be laid for us
as senior officials to continue deliberating on issues delegated to
us as well as to discuss issues of common interest right into the
future. We will then be able to report to regular Ministers'
conferences, which should be aligned with the SADC's structures and
programmes. The formalisation of the continuous process of our
interaction within a defined political context makes this
conference such an important step for the project of corrections in
our region and on our continent. The aim of the conference is
envisaged a sharing the desire to contribute to the
following:
* Sharing of experiences and challenges in order to contribute to
upgrading the quality and effectiveness of the correctional systems
in Southern Africa with an aim of reaching compliance with
international instruments, norms and standards
* Creation of a mechanism for Ministers with divergent portfolios,
but who are responsible for correctional services, supported by
their officials, to meet and liaise
* Alignment of multi-lateral corrections forums in Africa with the
SADC and the African Union, also ensuring that there is political
backing to the interaction between officials of correctional
services
* Inclusion of issues pertaining to corrections and the criminal
justice system into the SADC Review and the establishment of the
African Union
* Contribution towards the realisation of the ideals of African
Renaissance.
It is therefore crucial, dear colleagues, that we locate the spirit
and objectives of this conference within the bigger scheme of
things in the development of our continent, while acknowledging the
role of the existing structures like the Conference of Eastern,
Southern and Central African countries (CESCA). CESCA is indeed an
important structure of which we are proud members. It is true,
however, that an introduction of political support and backing for
CESCA's objectives, as we hope to achieve in this conference, can
be of major benefit to those objectives.
There have been many African declarations over the past ten years
or so that have had a bearing on corrections, such as the Kampala
Declaration.
As South Africans we have a major vested interest in these
cooperative arrangements. As a country, our focus on corrections is
fairly new, brought about by our new political dispensation
attained in 1994.
Our mandate derives from a constitutional Bill of Rights, which
obliges us to detain prisoners under conditions that are consistent
with human dignity. The Correctional Services Amendment Act, which
guides our operation, states that:
The purpose of the correctional system is to contribute to
maintaining and protecting a just, peaceful and safe society
by:
(a) Enforcing sentences of the courts in a manner prescribed by
this Act;
(b) Detaining all prisoners in safe custody whilst ensuring their
human dignity; and
(c) Promoting the social responsibility and human development of
all prisoners and persons subject to community corrections.
In the few years that we have been a democracy, we have sought to
conceptualise, mainstream, locate and position corrections as an
important dimension of development and nation building.
Our philosophy of corrections is built around rehabilitation as a
developmental process for offenders aimed at correcting the
offending behaviour and the cultivation of good citizenship. This
has linked our department to a number of governmental
programmes.
We continue to face very serious challenges in our quest to deliver
on these obligations. In dealing with these challenges, we know
very well that we can benefit immensely from interacting at all
levels with our fellow African brothers and sisters as we seek to
develop solutions for them.
We know that through building solid international partnerships with
other developing countries we can be better positioned to develop
and implement meaningful strategies to tackle our challenges as a
developing country. Already we are beneficiaries of strategic
partnerships with colleagues from Zambia, Uganda and Burundi, among
others.
Colleagues we draw strength from this occasion. Your very presence
here symbolises the requisite unity for our mutual achievement.
This enables us to visualize the new dawn for corrections in
Africa, a future alive with possibility.
Once again, welcome to our country, dear colleagues. Also realise
that the little chill in the air is just a passing phase. For most
of the year we enjoy the African sun and its warm weather. You are
welcome to return and explore our beaches and prime holiday spots
in the near future. Sure, we cannot sell our BIG FIVE to you
because you have that as well, but you will revel in the warmth and
friendliness of our people.
I look forward to a useful interaction ahead, as we continue to
turn the tide for corrections in our region.
Thank you
Linda Mti Commissioner: Correctional Services, 2 July 2003
Source: Department of Correctional Services
(http://www.dcs.gov.za)
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