The President’s Award (TPA) challenges participants to a year of holistic development where they are committed to four categories; skills development, physical recreation, community service and an adventurous journey. From the testimonials four of the participants gave at the ceremony, held at Leeuwkop Correctional Facility, it is clear this programme really has made a difference in their personal rehabilitation. Uplifting performances by the Leeuwkop Medium C choir contributed to the positive atmosphere at the event.
Nadine Scheepers, from Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre said; “This program helped me to develop myself and allowed me to help the community which brought a lot of laughter and joy. The skills that I have learnt will benefit me once I’m out. I just felt really honoured to be a part of this initiative.”
She was definitely not alone in this sentiment. Each participant receiving an award beamed with pride throughout the ceremony, while agreeing with every positive statement that was made about TPA.
As part of the programme participants took on a plethora of challenges such as planting and maintaining food gardens for underprivileged schools, skills-based courses and challenging hikes around the province.
The bronze and silver badges and certificates were awarded to male and female participantss from five correctional facilities in Gauteng. The certificates were signed by President Jacob Zuma; Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh (who is founder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award); Zach Modise, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) acting national commissioner; and Lara Kruiskamp the CEO of The President’s Award.
Kruiskamp, who gave an inspirational talk about setting and achieving one’s goals, said that no matter their circumstances, the participants who took on the TPA challenge did so wholeheartedly. “Some of the inmates in maximum security can not leave to do community work so instead, each night, they saved their bread which was then counted over the week and fresh pieces were donated to street children,” she said. “One of the participants said the most inspiring thing to me, he said ‘just because you’re in a box you don’t have think in the box’,” she added.
The President’s Award was first introduced within the DCS in 1994 in the Eastern Cape under the guidance of Nelson Mandela. It has since been implemented in more than 70 correctional centres nationally. There are approximately 1500 inmates working towards obtaining their award in 2015.
“This award has taught me to accept the things I cannot change and change the things I can,” says inmate Julio Mathe, who was convicted of robbery and murder. “This has been a wonderful experience to rediscover and rebuild myself.”
The President’s Award is open to all youths aged 14 to 25.
For more information, visit the President's Award website. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook.