Drakenstein: Correctional Services Deputy Minister Lindiwe Ntshalintshali has hailed the inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at Drakenstein Correctional Facility as a historic milestone, marking a significant moment in South Africa's post-apartheid journey since Nelson Mandela's release on 11 February 1990.

According to South African Government News Agency, the academy was officially opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, a member of the original release committee that negotiated Mandela's freedom. Ntshalintshali described the opening day as deeply meaningful for the Department of Correctional Services and emphasized its importance for the nation as a whole. The day began with a visit to the Mandela Museum House, where Mandela was held before his release, providing an opportunity for reflection on the pivotal negotiations that led to his freedom.

Ntshalintshali underscored the President's commitment to maintaining the site as a living heritage space, highlighting its potential to educate visitors about South Africa's history. Following the museum visit, the delegation moved to the correctional facility for the official opening of the academy, which included unveiling a commemorative plaque.

The Deputy Minister expressed pride in the Department of Correctional Services' role in preserving South Africa's history and noted the President's recognition of correctional officials who work under difficult conditions. The opening of the academy was seen as a reminder of the country's transformation over the past 36 years, both socially and economically.

Ntshalintshali called on South Africans to remember the sacrifices that shaped the nation's democracy, urging them not to forget their roots and the struggles that molded their identity. She emphasized that incarceration should not equate to abandonment and highlighted the academy's role in promoting rehabilitation and reintegration for inmates.

The academy demonstrates the potential for second chances, with a focus on skills such as tiling, electrical work, landscaping, and furniture-making, all completed by inmates under the guidance of departmental artisans. Ntshalintshali noted that the academy's efforts underscore the message that everyone deserves a second chance in life, reinforcing the ideology of community corrections and societal responsibility in the rehabilitation process.