SOSHANGUVE SECURE CARE CENTRE SETS BENCHMARK FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING

By Tshepo Motholo

• Representatives of the Free State’s Department of Social Development visited the Soshanguve Secure Care Centre in Gauteng to learn more about the centre’s operations and training programmes.
• The secure care centres provide safe facilities for children in conflict with the law.
• The Soshanguve Secure Care Centre has been recognised as one of South Africa’s leading institutions in implementing vocational training programmes.

The Soshanguve Secure Care Centre welcomed a delegation from the Free State Department of Social Development to share insights into the centre’s operations as well as its successful vocational training programmes for children in conflict with the law.

The centre was recognised during a national skills workshop held in 2023 as one of the leading institutions in implementing vocational training programmes.

Knowing this, the Free State delegation decided to visit the Soshanguve facility on 4 March 2025 and learn from their model.

Established in 2015, the Soshanguve Secure Care Center was established in accordance with Section 195 of the Children’s Act and operates under the provisions of the amended Children’s Justice Act.

The facility accommodates children under three categories: awaiting trial, diversion, and sentenced.

The Department of Social Development is responsible for designing and implementing rehabilitation programmes for the children, while the Department of Basic Education runs a fully staffed school within the centre.

The school has a principal and eight full-time teachers and offers both academic education and vocational training in fields such as agriculture, welding, hairdressing, woodwork, nails and beauty, and hospitality.

“We wanted to understand how they successfully implement skills development programmes, identify their best practices, and learn about the challenges they face,” said one of the visitors from the Free State, Emmanuel Monyana.

Monyana is the acting manager at the Thabo Mofutsanyana Secure Centre in Phuthaditjhaba.

“Our goal is to take these lessons back to the Free State and develop a provincial strategy for rolling out similar initiatives,” said Monyana.

Reflecting on the visit, Monyana expressed his admiration for the centre’s efforts.

“The centre is excelling in its skills development programmes. We toured the workshops, and they are fully equipped to provide hands-on training,” he noted.

“What stood out most was the strong partnership between the Department of Social Development and the Department of Education,” Monyana said. “Their collaboration ensures the success of the vocational programmes, and this is something we aim to replicate in the Free State.”

The visit provided the Free State delegation with valuable insights into integrating education and vocational training for children in conflict with the law.

By adopting best practices from Soshanguve Secure Care Center, the Free State aims to enhance its own rehabilitative and skills development programs, ultimately providing better opportunities for young people in need of guidance and support