NICRO launches Trust in London

NICRO, a South African NGO held a public launch of the NICRO UK TRUST FOR A SAFER SOUTH AFRICA at a glittering occasion at the London IMAX on Monday 17 June 2002.
Hosted by the South African High Commissioner, the occasion was attended by 350 guests who were addressed by Terry Waite and Constitutional Court Justice Richard Goldstone.

In his address, Terry Waite referred to the process which led to the establishment of the Trust. At the time that political
and social changes were occurring in South Africa during the late eighties, Mr Waite was being held hostage in the Middle East. The first information which he received of the changes was via coded, tapped messages which the prisoners used as a system of communication. Once released, Mr Waite became involved with a task group which visited South Africa to see what contribution could be made to support the change process in South Africa.

NICRO, as an established NGO with a long record of independence and quality service delivery to those in conflict with the law, was selected. This led to a process during which Trustees were invited to serve on the Board of the Trust, which has decided to focus on fund raising activities in support of NICRO's activities in South Africa.

Justice Goldstone spoke of his long involvement in NICRO, which dated from the early 1980's in South Africa-a period of great social and political turmoil which led to three years of Emergency Regulations and abuses of the rights of detainees. On a number of occasions, the only way in which detainees could be assisted was though the NICRO staff intervening and supplying detainees with the necessities of life.

The focus of the work of NICRO has changed over the years, and the area which the UK Trust will be focusing on is the Diversion Programme. The Diversion Programme for Young Offenders managed 15 000 juveniles in conflict with the law during 2001/2. The success rate of the programme, which was researched in a recent NICRO study (2002), shows a success rate of 93% (clients not re offending within the first year).

AA video, made for the launch by Mariota Enthoven, showed the real life issues which a group of young people in Gauteng experienced in the process of redirecting their lives. After the video and an opportunity to make a donation, the guests were entertained by Frank Williams and his band. At the end of the evening an auction was held with prizes of: a De Beers diamond, holidays, Virgin Airlines flights for two in South Africa with a holiday at Londolozi.

A total of £40 000 was raised and pledged-- a wonderful launch for the UK Trust!!

NICRO SA would like to thank: Alaistair Papps (Chairperson), Charles Luyckx (Treasurer), Lesley Alborough (UK Trust Fundraising Coordinator),
the Trustees, Nando's UK, Terry Waite, Justice Richard Goldstone and all who pitched in to make the launch successful and memorable.