From left, Mr Azwihangwisi Nesengani, Professor Shanta B Singh, Ms Vuyelwa Maweni, Mr Justice Sihlangu, Mr Siyanda Dlamini, Dr Witness Maluleke, Dr Sazelo Mkhize and Mr B G Motloung.Department of Correctional Services holds Orientation Session for Criminology and Forensic Studies Students
The Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC): Incarceration and Corrections recently approved the Experiential Learning Co-ordinating Committee’s 2017 Orientation Session for UKZN’s Criminology student volunteers.
Representatives from the department, Mr B G Motloung, Mr Azwihangwisi Nesengani and Mr Justice Sihlangu, facilitated the orientation session.
The aim of the orientation was to provide an overview of the community profiling and to assist criminology students to understand the environment. They encouraged students to volunteer on the criminology profiling learning programme.
The Experiential Learning Project, which started in 2015, by DCS and UKZN’s Criminology and Forensic Studies discipline, the project, is a historic moment for the University and the College of Humanities.
Professor Shanta Balgobind Singh said, ‘The Experiential Learning programme is important for students because it will improve their learning and experience and it will boost their curricula vitae (CVs).’
The DCS ensured students that their safety would be the priority. The Director for Community Liaison at the department, Mr Azwihangwisi Nesenganeni, said ‘The DCS will take responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all the students who will participate in this Project.’
The orientation was based on community profiling and correctional centre in which students were encouraged to do both.
A Masters student who participated in the programme in 2016, Ms Thandanani Ngidi advised students to grab the opportunity with both hands. ‘This is a great opportunity; therefore I would like to encourage all the students to take this opportunity. For me, it was an incredible experience, I learnt a lot and I got the chance to see what is untold. On the first day, it will be scary but working with the inmates will change your perceptions towards them.’
In addition, the students were also advised to volunteer to centres that are close to their place of residence. Honours student Ms Lindokuhle Tshayingca said, ‘This was very helpful. I am very keen to participate. I will do community profiling and volunteer at the correctional centre.’
Professor Singh said that efforts to renew the MOU between UKZN and DCS for the next 5 years is underway.
Photograph: Siyanda Dlamini