DCS partners with SuperSport United FC and FIFA Foundation on Twinning ProjectThe Department of Correctional Services in partnership with SuperSport United FC and the FIFA Foundation launched the first Twinning Project in Africa.The launch took place at Kgosi Mampuru II rugby field on 25 March. The objective of the project is amongst others to foster disciplineand promotes meaningful transformation while also reducing recidivism rates by connecting each correctional centre with a local professional football club.National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale welcomed all stakeholders and dignitaries to the historic occasion. He said the Department of Correctional was excited to be part of the project which will be the first of its kind in Africa.SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews said they welcomed the partnership when it was pitched to the club as it resonates with Matsatsantsa. As everybody knows, Super- Sport United is affectionally known as Matsatsantsa which means trend setters. It is something that we have tried to be, on and off the eld for the past 25 years as a football club, very proud of our clean sweep of domestic trophies that many of our players privileged us to achieve he said.Matthews further said SuperSport United was proud to add one more string onto the bow, by bring the Twinning Project to Africa.According to CEO of the Twinning Project Mr. Hilton Freund, the Twinning Project has become one of the robust and innovative soccer interventions to be adopted by Correctional Departments across the world. The Twinning Project is now in four continents including Africa. We now deliver our work in the United States of America, Australia, Italy and South Africa, he explained.Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, expressed excitement that the Twinning Project will assist offenders with life skills that will greatly assist them when they are released.The Twinning Project has run this pro- gramme in England with professional clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and so forth. In South Africa, we are working with SuperSport United to impart coaching skills to inmates to use internally and when they are released back into society. We believe that these coaching skills will be important and enable inmates to make positive contributions in society either as life skills coaches or sport coaches he said. Reneilwe Matlhake, a female offender and a participant in the programme echoed the same sentiments. The programme is de- signed to help us gain skills for coaching. We can also use the skills once we are released to coach younger kids, she said.Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa thanked SuperSport United FC and the FIFA Foundation for enabling South Africa to be part of Twinning Project.It is historic moments and occasions such as this first of its kind in Africa launch of Twinning Project that one looks forward to in the journey of life. This grand and remarkable event sums the good in all of us when we come together to pursue objectives that will advance human development and promote social cohesion to enhance the unity of purpose in our lives he said.The event culminated in an exhibition match between SuperSport United Legends and the Inmates Football Clubs with the latter walking away 2-1 victorious after a penalty shootout.
Description
DCS partners with SuperSport United FC and FIFA Foundation on Twinning ProjectThe Department of Correctional Services in partnership with SuperSport United FC and the FIFA Foundation launched the first Twinning Project in Africa.The launch took place at Kgosi Mampuru II rugby field on 25 March. The objective of the project is amongst others to foster disciplineand promotes meaningful transformation while also reducing recidivism rates by connecting each correctional centre with a local professional football club.National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale welcomed all stakeholders and dignitaries to the historic occasion. He said the Department of Correctional was excited to be part of the project which will be the first of its kind in Africa.SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews said they welcomed the partnership when it was pitched to the club as it resonates with Matsatsantsa. As everybody knows, Super- Sport United is affectionally known as Matsatsantsa which means trend setters. It is something that we have tried to be, on and off the eld for the past 25 years as a football club, very proud of our clean sweep of domestic trophies that many of our players privileged us to achieve he said.Matthews further said SuperSport United was proud to add one more string onto the bow, by bring the Twinning Project to Africa.According to CEO of the Twinning Project Mr. Hilton Freund, the Twinning Project has become one of the robust and innovative soccer interventions to be adopted by Correctional Departments across the world. The Twinning Project is now in four continents including Africa. We now deliver our work in the United States of America, Australia, Italy and South Africa, he explained.Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, expressed excitement that the Twinning Project will assist offenders with life skills that will greatly assist them when they are released.The Twinning Project has run this pro- gramme in England with professional clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and so forth. In South Africa, we are working with SuperSport United to impart coaching skills to inmates to use internally and when they are released back into society. We believe that these coaching skills will be important and enable inmates to make positive contributions in society either as life skills coaches or sport coaches he said. Reneilwe Matlhake, a female offender and a participant in the programme echoed the same sentiments. The programme is de- signed to help us gain skills for coaching. We can also use the skills once we are released to coach younger kids, she said.Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa thanked SuperSport United FC and the FIFA Foundation for enabling South Africa to be part of Twinning Project.It is historic moments and occasions such as this first of its kind in Africa launch of Twinning Project that one looks forward to in the journey of life. This grand and remarkable event sums the good in all of us when we come together to pursue objectives that will advance human development and promote social cohesion to enhance the unity of purpose in our lives he said.The event culminated in an exhibition match between SuperSport United Legends and the Inmates Football Clubs with the latter walking away 2-1 victorious after a penalty shootout.
