As Africa commemorates Africa Month, the Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) marked a significant milestone on 9 May 2025, awarding 135 learners from Phatfwa Secondary School in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, with certificates of recognition for successfully completing its Communities and Justice Programme (CJP).
The 12-week experiential crime prevention initiative is designed to disrupt the cycle of youth criminality in vulnerable communities. Through direct engagements with the criminal justice system, the programme educates young people on the consequences of crime, while promoting social responsibility and legal awareness. The awards ceremony served as more than just a celebration of achievement—it marked a powerful statement by the school and its surrounding community in their commitment to restoring safety, discipline, and hope.
“Today is a victory for both our youth and our communities. The programme has not only educated learners about the justice system but has inspired them to become ambassadors of peace and integrity,” said Rt Rev Col Gicks Moyane (ret), SSAF Mpumalanga Coordinator. “Empowering our children with knowledge is our best defence against crime.”
Ahead of the ceremony, SSAF, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), led a series of community outreach sessions as part of the broader CJP rollout. These sessions included input from the National Prosecuting Authority, the Department of Correctional Services, the local Traffic Department and South African Human Rights Commission addressing key issues such as bullying, substance abuse, and general crime awareness.
Learners were strongly encouraged to reject criminal activity and were taught how and where to report unlawful behaviour in their schools and communities. The CJP goes beyond theory—providing hands-on exposure to the criminal justice system, including interactions with law enforcement officers, magistrates, correctional staff, and community leaders.
“The Communities and Justice Programme is changing lives one school at a time,” said General Riah Phiyega (ret), Former National Commissioner of Police and CEO of the Safer South Africa Foundation. “By equipping our youth with knowledge, perspective, and civic responsibility, we are not only reducing crime but sowing the seeds of a new generation of African leadership—one grounded in accountability, empathy, and unity.”
The event brought together parents, school governing body members, community leaders, and local law enforcement, all unified in their mission to build a safer, more resilient South Africa, starting with its youth. Also in attendance was Nedbank, a member of the Banking Association South Africa and a proud partner in the Communities and Justice Programme, contributing to the initiative by educating learners about financial literacy.In a touching moment during the ceremony, Dimpho Tshikane, a young learner who was also a participant in the programme, took to the stage to recite a heart-warming poem that served as a call to action: “Oh, Africa hear my cries.
I am crying for the Africa of Ubuntu. Let us Return to Our Roots.” Through this performance we heard a young learner yearning for the resurrection of the Africa we know: one that protects its children, cares for its communities, and lives the values of Ubuntu. Safer South Africa Foundation, through the CJP, has already impacted thousands of learners across the country, fostering critical thinking, legal understanding, and social consciousness.
The Foundation remains unwavering in its commitment to empower the next generation, build stronger communities, and nurture the Africa we believe in. May South Africa heed the call to remember and fight for the Africa we all love and care for—by taking care of our communities and protecting its future, one child at a time.
