GEORGE NEWS - A group of ex-offenders calling themselves "Baasraak" gave testimony at Thembalethu Primary on Thursday 13 February about their journey through crime and imprisonment.

This came about after a learning support teacher at the school, Ntsiki Morgan, attended a meeting at the Thembalethu police station where the opportunity was presented for Baasraak to visit schools in George.

After consultation with the school principal, she grabbed the opportunity and invited the group to the school.

The group included representatives of Baasraak, Men for God and The World Needs a Father organisations.

Morgan says the focus was on Grade 5 to 7 learners and the aim was to warn the learners about the reality of prison life and the importance of choices while they are still young. 

"Baasraak is living testimony that crime does not pay. All the speakers agreed that if they had not made a choice to follow Jesus in their lives, things could have been worse. 

"At the end of the programme all the learners unanimously indicated that they want to make wise decisions in their lives."

As a follow-up, the school is implementing a mentorship programme for learners who are without fathers or whose fathers are not involved in their lives.

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