The Centre opened its doors in June 2001 and seven months later, more than 1 000 victims of rape, violence and abuse had benefited from the care and services rendered by staff and 16 trained, dedicated community volunteers. The project bears testimony to what can be achieved through the development of mutually beneficial, strategic partnerships established between NICRO, the Department of Justice, court officials and the community.

Technical Skills Training Project

NICRO’s Empangeni and Durban service points were sub-contracted by Skills Dynamics to provide technical skills training for 20 women from the rural village, Mkuze, and another 21 women from the Nhlohlela Reserve. This project, in which the participants were taught to sew, formed part of the provincial Skills Development Pilot Project that was initiated and funded by the Department of Labour in Richards Bay. On completion of the project NICRO was awarded
R201 500.

NICRO KwaZulu-Natal actively involved in youth crime prevention

NICRO KwaZulu-Natal is one of three NGOs represented on the KwaZulu-Natal Integrated Crime Prevention Committee, a structure co-ordinated by the provincial Department for Safety and Security. In March 2002 the Committee hosted a Youth Crime Prevention Summit in Durban aimed at exploring new approaches to crime prevention through inter-sectoral partnerships. NICRO gave a presentation on youth development and restorative justice. NICRO KwaZulu-Natal continues to play an active role on the Committee.

Diversion staff member visits Chicago on Social Exchange Programme

In mid Mphuti Thabo, NICRO Durban, joined a delegation of 12 academics, educators and social workers from other NGOs and government departments on a social exchange programme, to Durban’s sister city, Chicago. The purpose of the exchange was to explore and deliberate social services which empower and improve the quality of life for children at risk, youth and families.

Creative Arts and Business Awards

NICRO KwaZulu-Natal held its Creative Arts and Business Awards ceremony in partnership with the provincial Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Association of the Department of Correctional Services.

Prizes and merit awards in different creative arts categories were presented to the winning prison art entrants. Prizes were awarded to employees of the Department of Correctional Services for their support and dedication in facilitating the art competition in prisons. These Incentive Awards, went to employees at the Waterval, Umzinto, Estcourt and Port Shepstone Prisons. The NICRO Business Award was presented to Mr Bongani Douglas Ndela.

Performance

KwaZulu-Natal

Individuals

Workshops

Total

CVS
7670

3385

11055

DIV
2892

1351

4243

OR
1414

261

1675

EOP
845

672

1517

Total
12821

5669

18490

Yashina Pillay

NICRO MPUMALANGA

Fighting crime on all fronts

NICRO Mpumalanga’s "Race Against Crime & Time", a soapbox race which started in Komatipoort and finished three weeks later at Cape Town’s Waterfront, proved to be a highlight of the year. The team comprised school pupils and Diversion youth.

The soapbox cart was pushed for 2 041 kilometres. It was our intention to show South Africans that something can and is being done about combating crime and violence and that young South Africans want to make a difference. The race united people of all ages and from all walks of life in their fight against crime.

Diversion holiday skills programme

A first for NICRO Mpumalanga was a week-long holiday skills programme for diversion youth, held at the Swartfontein Treatment Centre. This skills development and youth empowerment programme met with great success and the participants expressed the opinion that the inputs from the Department of Social Development, SANCA, the Scripture Union and other youth organisations, were tremendously beneficial.

Working for Water Programme incorporates business skills training

Fifty of NICRO Mpumalanga’s clients, 13 of whom were former offenders, completed a business management skills training programme in Schoemansdal and Bushbuckridge. The Working for Water Project involves placing NICRO clients within the Department of Water Affairs existing teams to clear alien vegetation.

The aim of the business skills training programme is to maximise economic opportunities for clients beyond temporary, contract employment and more specifically to facilitate the reintegration of former offenders into society.

Performance

Mpumalanga

Individuals

Workshops

Total

DIV
600

112

712

OR
203

22

225

EOP
840

362

1202

Total
1643

496

2139

When I came to NICRO, I was starving. My baby was sick and hungry. NICRO changed my life completely. Vusi Khojelwayo - Nelspruit

Copies of this Annual Report are available from the NICRO National Office nicro@wn.apc.org