Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO? Welfare and Population Development Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Mpumalanga Premier Matthew Phosa.
WHAT? To launch the Hendrina Secure Care and Youth Development Centre in Mpumalanga.
WHERE? Hendrina, Mpumalanga
WHEN? 10am. 14 June 1997
PROGRAMME
10:00 - Opening 10:10 - Welcome Address - Rev. T Mpye Mayor of Hendrina 10:20 - Introduction of Honoured Guests - Deputy Director General Department of Health, Welfare & Gender Affairs - Mrs G.N. Sibeko 10:30 - Poem - 10:45 - Information of Hendrina Secure Care & Youth Development Centre 11:00 - Tribal Dance - 11:15 - Address by MEC - Health, Welfare & Gender Affairs - Ms K Mashego 11:25 - Choir 11:30 - Address by Premier - Mr M Phosa 11:45 - Message from Youth - Song item 11:55 - Keynote address Minister of Welfare - Ms G Fraser Moleketi 12:10 - Unveiling Ceremony 12:20 - Vote of Thanks 12:30 - Lunch
This project under the auspices of the Mpumalanga Department of Health, Welfare and Gender Affairs, towards making a difference in a young persons life is the first of its kind in the Province.
It is the official Secure Care Pilot Project of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk.
The launch will form part of National Youth Day - 16 June 1997 - celebrations.
The Hendrina Secure Care and Youth Development Centre is still under construction. The expected date for admittance of young people is September 1997. Main characteristics of this project is its successful Inter Sectoral Partnership. This includes community acceptance and participation.
The main objectives of the project are:-
1. Establishment of a child friendly yet safe facility for each young person, staff member and the community.
2. Establishment of multi purpose centre which also focuses on community based programmes and to be beneficial to the community. Community involvement and participation is regarded as a high priority.
Majorettes and band to meet at 9:00 in town.
Majorettes will welcome guests of Honour in town in main street from Score Supermarket to Town Council building. T own Council at 9:30.
Majorettes will be transported by bus to Hendrina Secure Care and Youth Development Centre.
Refreshments will be served at Town Council for Guests of Honour from 9:30 - 9:50.
Guests of Honour to proceed to Hendrina Secure Care and Youth Development Centre.
Band and majorettes to entertain other guests at Hendrina Secure Care Centre awaiting arrival of Guests of Honour.
Formal proceedings to start at 10:00 at Hendrina Secure Care and Youth Development Centre.
Guests who would like to go on a guided tour of the Centre will meet at the entrance of the building after lunch.
BACKGROUND
4. WHAT IS A SECURE CARE FACILITY? TRANSPARENCY 1.
SECURE CARE may be defined as a residential facility and or programme of intervention which ensures physical, behavioural and emotional containment of young people who are charged with crimes and who are awaiting trial or sentence. Such a facility provides an environment, milieu and progamme conducive to the care, safety and healthy development of each young person while at the same time ensuring the protection of communities.
5. An investigation into the most accessible, unutilized Government buildings which could cost effectively be renovated in accordance with the above definition followed. Statistics were obtained to determine the area which will be most accessible to address the priority needs, in this regard, in the Province. The practice principals of accountability, effective and efficient services were implemented.
6. The committee felt strongly that the community should approve and accept the facility to the extent of co-ownership. The SECURE CARE CENTRE should not only be beneficial to the community by means of job creation but the SECURE CARE CENTRE should provide service in the broad socio-economic community context as indicated in the INTERIM POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS of the INTER MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK. TRANSPARENCY 2.
Why a Secure Care Centre in Hendrina?
Investigations by the Provincial Inter Departmental Committee on Young People In Conflict with the Law in 1995 proved that:
MAP OF PROVINCE.
1. Hendrina is most accessible to the Highveld and Eastern Highveld Regions of this Province. This is the area according to statistics with the biggest need for Secure Care Centre.
2. The former Hendrina prison was the most suitable unutilized Government building to cost effectively be renovated into a child friendly yet safe and secure facility.
TRANSPARENCY 3,4,5.
3. The example that the Hendrina community set by living peacefully could act as vital role model/example to the young people who will be admitted.
Process followed in establishing HENDRINA SECURE CARE facility.
1. An open information meeting was held on the 11th of January 1996 in the community between the Inter Departmental Committee and the community. Already at this stage Department of Public Works was involved in the process.;
2. Although hesitant and with some doubt the community declared themselves willing to accept the project and participate. The Hendrina Secure Care Steering Committee was formed.
3. This committee consists of representatives of:-
TRANSPARENCY 6
Community Members:
ANC Women's League
ANC Youth League
Churches
Schools
Ebcat
Women's Group
Non Governmental Organisations:
CMR
Mental Health
Local Government:
Transitional Local Council of Greater Hendrina
Departments:
Health and Welfare (Both sections)
Safety and Security
Education
Correctional Services
Public Works
Architects:
Len Dawson and Associates
4. It is clear that a wide spectrum of people came together with different view points, expectations, and knowledge.
However, it soon became clear that a team was formed, well focussed on the main issues of reclaiming young people in conflict with the law. This committed group of people were each willing to contribute in a very special way with open minds. Till today committee meetings were at least 90% attended although the frequency of meetings were monthly and at times bi-monthly. Even meetings with a notice of four days only. T his committee is an example that integrated, effective and efficient services can be implemented with accountable and maximum results.
TRANSPARENCY 7
5. The committee formulated the following objectives;
A. Establishment of a child friendly yet safe facility for each child, staff member and the community.
B. Establishment of a multi purpose centre which also focusses on community based programmes and to be beneficial to the community. Community involvement and participation is regarded as a high priority.
6. The Committee focussed on capacity building of committee members by acquainting themselves with the developmental approach and the new Child and Youth Care principles, the IMC process, dissemination and discussions of information. This soon resulted in committee members becoming advocates for young people within their different sectors even in situations where this could jeopardize their own positions in life. An escalating process of informing, educating and sensitizing people on the rights of young people within the new paradigm are presently experienced. Leaders in the community reporting and interest of more and more groups who want to positively contribute. Trust in the project manager and the Steering committee resulted in requests from members of the community for advice and assistance with other projects in the community i.e. early childhood development and job creation.
7. A lot of time and energy went into discussions and investigation of developing the most suitable child friendly yet safe Secure Care Facility. This includes using of appropriate building materials. The importance of first impressions of the centre received attention i.e. gate, wall, colour, furniture confidentiality, respect and interior decorating. With the planning of every aspect of this centre the question were is it child friendly and safe for the young person as well as for the personnel and the community. It has to be mentioned that the Architects at this stage form an integral part of the team with the same enthusiasm to address the challenge, as it sometimes seems, in many cases, contradictory principals of child friendliness versus security.
8. A centre is at present developed for 35 children in three sections. Provision has been made for two male sections and one female section. Three children will share an en suite dormitory. Each section is provided with an indoor recreational room. The principals of empowerment, participation, normalization, child-centered, effective and efficient services will be applicable.
9. Criteria for admission to the specific male section is at present receiving attention. This will not only depend on age as this is not an only criteria. Developmental stage and experience might also be considered as well as other relevant aspects.
10. the centre will provide for:
The above provide for implementation of the practice principals of participation, family-centered services, family preservation, and permanency planning. All offices and the admission area will be provided with computers to enhance effective and efficient, child - centered service rendering.
11. Since January 1997 the building is under construction and the expected date of completion is at the end of August 1997.
12. Approval of the proposed staff compliment is at present receiving attention. There is a strong viewpoint regarding adequate, appropriate and efficient staff. The practice principals as outlined in the Interim Policy recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk and those outlined in the defini- tion of the developmental approach in the same document should be modeled, experienced, and supported with the appropriate knowledge. Staff will therefore be appointed approximately beginning of August 1997. This will provide adequate time for training. It was approved that NACCW will be requested to do the training. A ratio of one staff member per seven young persons are applicable. The importance of sound and fair recruitment and employment will rest upon the pillar of the most effective and appropriate service to the young person. It is recognized that the quality of service to the young person and their families depends on the quality of personnel, the climate in which they are required to function, their salaries and service conditions and the quality and quantity of time, training, and support invested in each person.
13. It will be expected from children to take part in normal household activities i.e. making of beds, helping to prepare food during especially weekends etc. This is seen as part of the developmental approach in creating learning opportunities and practicing the principal of normalization.
14. After the visit to Trinidad it became clear that the SERVOL programme can be adjusted to fit the South African circumstances. This is at present receiving urgent attention. Close co-operation between Eastern Cape Province and Mpumalanga is foreseen in developing an Inter Ministerial Committee model for South Africa. The programme will be based on the developmental approach, and provide for an Adolescent Development Programme followed by a skill training programme.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The success of this project depends to a large extent on inter- sectoral and community participation and commitment.
TRANSPARENCY 8
Throughout the process consultations, negotiation and information received attention -
- Open information days,
- Newsletters x 4 to +- 3 000 households,
- Questionnaires,
- Open door policy at meetings,
- Individual interviews and meetings with specific groups,
- Newsletter articles.
This resulted in the following -
- Acceptance, Co-ownership and Enthusiasm towards the project and services to young people in general.
- Full co-operation and successful inter sectoral involvement since the beginning of the project.
- Job creation.
Economy benefitted from the project with the sales of the building materials and everyday necessaries needed by the contractors and their labourers.
SECONDARY RESULTS
1. Involvement of Mpumalanga Development Corporation and the Training Trust, with assistance of job creation and training and possibility of accreditation of the Skill training programme of the Secure care centre.
2. Possibility of extension, of a Middelburg company to Hendrina which will create +- 50 jobs.
3. Possibility of shopping complex development in Kwazamakohle.
4. Colddrink depot to be established in Kwazamakohle.
5. Closer co-operation and acceptance of Department of Welfare with community development and resources i.e. creche.
CONCLUSION
TRANSPARENCY 9
The success of this project to date rests on the pillars of:
- Real Inter Sectoral Work
- Capacity Building and knowledge
- Commitment and dedication
- High level of trust
- To stay focussed on end result
- Persistence
TRANSPARENCY 10
Success is not seen as a destination but as a journey with the sky as the limit.