NICRO diversion, economic empowerment and offender reintegration services first commenced in the North West province following the establishment of an office in Rustenburg in September 1997. The launch of NICRO North West was achieved as a result of notable support from the Department of Social Development, then known as the Department of Welfare. Three years later, a service point was established in Winterveldt, thanks to funding from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the formation of a partnership between NICRO, Bokamoso and the Sisters of Mercy.

Today NICRO North West offers three of the organisation’s four primary interventions: the Diversion, Community Victim Support and Offender Reintegration Programmes. Although the Economic Opportunities Project has been curtailed and no longer functions as a fully-fledged programme, economic empowerment services nevertheless continue to be offered to offenders and former offenders as a component of the Offender Reintegration Programme.

Community Victim Support

Social fabric related crimes, per 100,000 people, occur at a higher rate in the North West than in South Africa as a whole and crime has a detrimental impact on the lives of all of the citizens of our province. NICRO North West’s victim support and empowerment services focus on providing critical support and comprehensive intervention services to the survivors of crime, while community outreach, education and awareness initiatives are geared towards promoting restorative justice and preventing or reducing crime.

The Community Victim Support Programme serves communities resident in and around Rustenburg, Boitekong, Tlhabane, Hartebeespoort and Freedom Park, many of whom live in squatter camps . The majority of our beneficiaries are vulnerable female survivors of crime and violence. Domestic violence, rape or attempted rape, assault, child abuse and incest together accounted for some 90% of crimes committed against these survivors.

Our Niche and Special Achievements

NICRO North West is one of the few provincial service providers of comprehensive victim support and empowerment services in the province;
Impactful victim support interventions including trauma debriefing, crisis intervention and crisis management , trauma counselling and support groups as well as individual counselling services - with a specific focus on victims of rape and domestic violence;
A holistic approach to domestic violence prevention, including specialised psycho-educational, therapeutic group-work programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence, direct services to victims, and the investigation of and support services provided to families exposed to domestic violence;
Community education and awareness programmes, and increased lobbying, advocacy, networking and profiling efforts have gained the programme ever increasing respect in the North West;
Rural models of intervention to address the needs of rural communities and provide services where they are most needed;

Given its broad-based knowledge, capacity and specialised skills NICRO North West has increasingly been rendering training and capacity building services to community-based organisations and other service providers active in the field.

Diversion and Youth Development

NICRO North West renders diversion services in the Rustenburg, Madibeng, Odi and Moretele Municipalities, as well as in the Bophirima District of the Vryburg Municipality. The vast majority of beneficiaries are vulnerable, at-risk young people: socially excluded juvenile offenders who are in conflict with the law. Certain programme activities, such as the crime prevention component of the project, are also aimed at at-risk youth who reside in communities with high crimes rates and who are highly susceptible to becoming involved in criminal activities.

The Diversion and Youth Development Programme incorporates a comprehensives range of interventions, each of which has been specifically designed to meet the needs of our young clients:

The Youth Empowerment Scheme, an eight-session life skills programme for first time young offenders that assists participants to build a positive, strong sense of self, resist peer pressure, communicate their needs clearly and respectfully, and to solve problems in a non-violent manner ;
Pre-Trial Community Service offers young offenders the opportunity of serving the community they have wronged for a set number of hours ;
Family Group Conferencing, which involves bringing together the victim, the offender and his/her family members, is geared towards repairing the damage caused and making plans to prevent the young person from re-offending;
The Journey Leadership Programme, an intensive therapeutic intervention and training programme aimed at high-risk youth and serious or multiple offenders includes life and vocational skills training in addition to community service, adventure education and a wilderness therapy component;
A drug education and prevention programme; and
Crime prevention programmes in schools, which are geared towards at-risk youth and young people who have not yet become involved in criminal activities. This initiative assists vulnerable young people to develop their potential by affording them the opportunity of acquiring valuable life skills and empowering them to steer free of crime.

NICRO’s Diversion Programme has proven to be a highly effective and successful intervention for challenging criminal and delinquent behaviour, which results in young people conforming by acknowledging, understanding and taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Fewer than 10% of programme participants re-offend within a three-year period of completing a NICRO Diversion option.

Offender Reintegration

NICRO North West renders general offender reintegration services in the magisterial districts of Bafokeng, Mafikeng and Potchefstroom, serving the residents of communities such as Phokeng, Mogwase, Ledig and Itsoseng. In addition to rendering support services to walk-in clients, the majority of whom are former offenders or family members of persons serving a prison sentence, our Offender Reintegration Programme includes the following specific components:

The Tough Enough Programme (TEP) offered in the Mogwase Prison and the Rustenburg Juvenile Centre;
The Esther Lategan Study Fund (providing bursaries for both imprisoned TEP participants and the children of incarcerated persons);
The Creative Arts Competition;
The Mentorship Programme, which provides support and guidance for released Tough Enough Programme participants ; and
Family support services.

Some 80% of released offenders in South Africa return to a life of crime. The Tough Enough Programme (TEP), offering intensive in-prison and post release intervention services, has a highly significant impact on offenders themselves, their families and communities. In the past twelve months no fewer than 70% of NICRO North West’s TEP participants turned their lives around and become responsible, productive and law-abiding citizens. This has contributed significantly to creating safer communities and reducing crime in the province.

In 2005 NICRO North West, in partnership with the Bojanala District Municipality, launched a community outreach, education and awareness campaign geared towards mobilising community support for former offenders. Members of the community have a vitally important role to play in assisting former offenders who have turned their lives around to reintegrate successfully, and in so doing, to reduce recidivism and spearhead crime prevention initiatives.

Special Events

Each year NICRO North West stages its annual Creative Arts Competition, an initiative that affords offenders serving a prison sentence in correctional facilities throughout the provinces the opportunity of unleashing their creativity and dealing with the harsh realities of imprisonment by expressing themselves through art. Participants harness their artistic skills and create inspired crafts and art works, which are then entered into a wide range of competition categories.

Bi-annual general meetings are held in Rustenburg at which the Provincial Management Committee provides an account of the organisation’s activities and progress achieved since the last meeting. Audited financial statements are also made available. Our donors and benefactors are strongly encouraged to attend the Bi-annual General Meeting and all other provincial events, as these occasions provide them with an opportunity to assess the impact of their vital contributions towards the prevention and reduction of crime and improving the lives of the citizens of the North West Province.

Roll of Honour

The highly significant contribution that NICRO North West continues to make towards the creation of a safer South Africa is dependant on the enduring support of our government, the corporate sector, charitable trusts, foundations and other grant makers, as well as contributions from individual donors. We, and the communities we serve, remain deeply grateful to them all for their generosity and the confidence they show in our work. We are especially indebted to:

The provincial government of the North West, the Department of Social Development, and all our governmental partners;
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund
Themba Lesizwe
AusAID
Our volunteers, unsung heroes and heroines, who give selflessly of themselves to serve others and expect little in return.

Would You Consider Helping Us to Make a Difference?

NICRO North West has a small staff compliment of only seven personnel. The Provincial Management Committee, comprising volunteers from the community with expertise in resource mobilisation, marketing, legal, financial and other related matters, plays a vital leadership role and ensures that the organisation renders quality, impactful services and remains true to its mission. Those serving on the management committee are required to be members of the organisation and pay a minimal annual membership fee.

Volunteers engaged in frontline service delivery greatly assist us to increase our capacity and render more widespread, effective services. In exchange for their commitment, vital support and contributions, volunteers are afforded the chance of attending workshops, training sessions and accessing self-development opportunities as well as having a truly rewarding experience. If you are able to volunteer your services or expertise, please contact a social worker at our provincial office on (014) 592-9280 and offer your assistance, or e-mail info@nicronw.org.za or nthabi@nicro.org.za.

Volunteers are needed:

To serve on our Provincial Management Committee;
To assist us in facilitating the life-skills component of the Youth Empowerment Scheme and Journey Programmes for young offenders;
To mentor young people;
As counsellors and advisors at community victim support centres;
As community support people for those released from prison;
To mentor former offenders;
As administrative and fundraising assistants; and
As event and campaign organisers.

Alternatively, any donations in cash or kind, no matter how big or small, would be deeply appreciated. As we are in the process of expanding our services to the Bophirima District in Vryburg, we are in urgent need of:

Computers and printers,
A facsimile machine,
Office furniture,
Transport,
Stationery, and
Gifts for our volunteers.

News Flash - A Success Story, One of Many

Morongwa attended the Tough Enough Programme from February to April 2004 and was immediately identified as a leader within the group. As a result of his participation in the programme he identified a number of issues that had had a bearing on his having become caught up in criminal activities, and with NICRO’s help, set about addressing these challenges.

Despite his family situation and circumstances not having changed much, Morongwa has turned his back on crime and is, today, more than capable of rising above the challenges he encounters. Following his release, he joined NICRO North West as a volunteer, rendering support and encouragement to former offenders within Rustenburg area.

Given his passion for speech and drama, NICRO linked Morongwa with the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation, which has afforded him the opportunity of attending several workshops and honing his talents. Morongwa is currently involved in a range of projects advocating for the rights of former offenders within his community and is intent on furthering his studies in project management with a NICRO bursary.