Tonight s event is the highlight of this year s national competition for prisoner choirs. I am aware that the competition, right from the provincial knockout competitions to this grand finale, has been a great success. What is particularly pleasing is the introduction this year of a special category for youth choirs. This is in line with the Department s policy to place great emphasis on the development of young offenders. They still have their lives ahead of them and we have to assist them to mend their ways whilst we have the opportunity to do so.
Choral singing is entrenched in our culture.
It gives an opportunity for expression and for interacting with others. It is wholesome for the body but even more so for the mind. This makes it a very important tool in the hands of those responsible for the rehabilitation of the offenders since it opens doors and breaks down barriers. As an added bonus it also goes a long way towards combating the idleness that is naturally a side-effect of incarceration for 24 hours a day. It is in this vein that the Department supports this competition.