172 Young Lives Empowered as Klerksdorp Learners Graduate from Crime Prevention Programme
In a powerful celebration of hope, resilience and community-led transformation during Africa Month, the Safer South Africa Foundation, in partnership with Harmony Gold Mine, recently celebrated the graduation of 172 learners from Prestige Secondary School and Tshedimosetso Secondary School who successfully completed the Communities and Justice Programme at the Jouberton Community Hall.
The graduation ceremony marked more than the completion of a 12-day crime prevention education programme. It represented a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against gangsterism, substance abuse, violence and youth vulnerability in communities such as Kanana and Jouberton, areas that continue to grapple with the devastating social impact of crime.
The learners underwent an intensive programme designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice value chain through both theoretical and experiential learning. Through direct engagement with justice and security institutions, learners gained practical exposure to the realities of crime prevention, accountability, leadership and responsible citizenship.
Through investment and funding by Harmony Mines, the programme exposed learners to real-life justice processes through visits to the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court and the Klerksdorp Correctional Centre, where they engaged with correctional officials and inmates and witnessed firsthand the consequences of criminal behaviour. Financial literacy training facilitated by FNB further equipped learners with critical life skills focused on responsible decision-making and future planning.
For many learners, the programme became a turning point, replacing fear, uncertainty and negative influences with knowledge, confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.
This strategic partnership with Harmony is driven by several important factors, including the company’s recognition of the socio-economic challenges affecting the communities in which it operates, particularly the impact of criminal activities on families and the broader community. It is against this backdrop that Harmony, through its investment in the programme, committed to making a meaningful contribution towards community development, crime prevention, and safer communities.
Mr Matthew Ntileni, Teacher and School Coordinator at Prestige Secondary School, highlighted the visible transformation already taking place among learners:
“Following engagements with learners who participated in the Communities and Justice Programme, we have seen a noticeable positive change in their awareness and behaviour. Incidents involving fighting, theft of school bags, carrying weapons, and substance abuse have decreased. Learners now understand that the law can be applied to them from the age of 14 and are more aware of the consequences of actions related to gender-based violence, assault, theft, and other unlawful behaviour. They are becoming more responsible, respectful, and focused on their schoolwork. The programme has filled an important gap by providing learners with information and guidance that many of them are not exposed to at home.”
As part of the graduation ceremony, learners were officially inducted as Safety Ambassadors within their schools and communities, empowering them to actively promote a culture of safety, accountability and crime prevention among their peers.
The Communities and Justice Programme forms part of the Safer South Africa Foundation’s broader national footprint aimed at empowering young people and strengthening safer schools and communities through strategic multi-sector partnerships. Since its inception in the North West Province 13 years ago, the programme has reached more than 30 000 learners across 22 schools.
In a heartfelt message, North West Provincial Coordinator for the Safer South Africa Foundation, Mrs Irene Ramatisa, said:
“Today is not simply about certificates. It is about restoring hope in communities that have for too long been affected by crime, violence and hopelessness. These young people are proof that when private and public institutions unite with a shared purpose, transformation becomes possible. We profoundly thank Harmony Gold for enabling and standing behind this intervention. As we commemorate Africa Month, we are reminded that the future of our continent depends on the choices we make for our youth today. Every learner graduating from this programme represents a future leader and a beacon of hope for a safer and more prosperous Africa.”
