BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE– Long before prison gates close behind offenders, His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) is working to ensure Eswatini’s young people never have to walk through them.
In a powerful campaign aimed at protecting the nation’s future, HMCS visited Mswati II High School on Tuesday, where learners received practical and life-changing lessons on the dangers of gangsterism, substance abuse and violence. The awareness programme formed part of the correctional service’s broader strategy to prevent crime by educating young people before they are exposed to criminal lifestyles.
Rather than waiting for young people to enter the criminal justice system, HMCS is taking the message directly into classrooms, encouraging learners to make informed decisions that will lead them towards successful and productive lives.
The initiative demonstrated the organisation’s growing commitment to community engagement, youth development and crime prevention through education.
Leading the outreach team was Deputy Public Relations Officer, Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene, who urged learners to recognise that every decision they make today has the potential to shape their future.
He encouraged pupils to remain focused on their studies, surround themselves with positive influences and avoid friendships that could expose them to criminal activities.
“Education opens doors to opportunities, while crime closes them,” he told learners, reminding them that discipline, determination and respect for the law remain the strongest foundation for success.
Kunene said many young people become involved in crime after making seemingly small decisions that gradually expose them to dangerous environments. He challenged learners to become role models in their schools and communities by rejecting negative peer pressure and embracing values that contribute to national development.
One of the day’s most impactful presentations was delivered by Correctional Officer Mfundo Dlamini, who spoke extensively about the growing threat of gangsterism.
He explained that criminal gangs often target young people by offering them a false sense of belonging, quick money, protection and social acceptance. However, he warned that these promises almost always end in disappointment, criminal records, broken families and imprisonment.
Dlamini stressed that while gangs may appear attractive at first, they ultimately rob young people of their education, freedom and future.
He urged learners never to allow peer pressure to determine their choices and encouraged those facing personal challenges to seek guidance from parents, teachers, religious leaders and other trusted adults.
The learners also received an eye-opening presentation from Correctional Officer Luvuyo Dlamini on substance abuse and violence.
He explained how alcohol and drug abuse continue to destroy the lives of many young people by affecting their judgement, reducing academic performance and increasing the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.
He noted that substance abuse not only harms the individual but also places enormous emotional and financial strain on families while contributing to crime within communities.
Addressing violence, he reminded learners that conflicts can be resolved peacefully through dialogue and mutual respect instead of physical confrontation.
He encouraged them to uphold values such as self-control, tolerance and respect for others, describing these qualities as essential for building peaceful schools and stronger communities.
School Principal Mrs Nonhlanhla Shongwe welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and highly relevant to the challenges facing many young people today.
She thanked HMCS for investing time and resources in educating learners, saying schools cannot fight social challenges alone.
“As educators, we guide and nurture learners every day, but the responsibility of protecting young people belongs to the entire community,” she said.
Shongwe added that partnerships between schools, government institutions, parents and community organisations are essential in preventing gangsterism, substance abuse and violence before they escalate into criminal behaviour.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education and Training for supporting programmes that expose learners to positive life lessons beyond the classroom.
Concluding the programme, Assistant Chief Officer Kunene reiterated that prevention remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against crime.
He said HMCS will continue taking similar awareness campaigns to schools across the country as part of its mission to build safer communities and empower young people to become responsible citizens.
He emphasised that every learner who chooses education over crime represents another step towards a stronger, safer and more prosperous Eswatini.
The outreach programme ended with learners encouraged to become ambassadors of positive change by sharing the lessons with their peers and making decisions that will secure brighter futures for themselves, their families and the nation.
(Courtesy Pics)
