On Friday (2 October 2020), Department of Correctional Services (DCS) staff across the country, dressed in unique traditional attire, heeded the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to dance to the tune of Jerusalema.
DCS Head Office staff showed off their best dance moves at Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area, Tshwane. Due to Covid-19, the event was hosted in strict adherence to level-1 lockdown regulations. Although it was a unique occasion to arrange and coordinate, the organising team, with the support of DCS top management, went to great lengths to ensure a memorable celebration of our diverse cultural heritage.
The Jerusalema Dance challenge came after the song ‘Jerusalema’ by South African artist Kgaogelo ‘Master KG’ Moagi from Limpopo province. After the release of the song, a dance move with a unique rhythm started to trend across the world. In an effort to uplift DCS employees’ morale during the coronavirus pandemic, and also celebrate cultural diversity in the department, National Commissioner Arthur Fraser called upon staff to respond to the President’s call.
As part of the Head Office challenge, Mr. Peter Ntamu delivered a message of hope to all officials who were infected and affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. “Like a bird in a cage, the majority of us have survived,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of DCS senior management, CDC: Incarceration and Corrections, Mr. Makgothi Thobakgale said although Covid-19 made South Africans realise how vulnerable we are as a human race in the face of this global pandemic, it has also demonstrated our versatility and strength as a nation. He reminded DCS officials of the essence of celebrating our heritage and said the occasion should propel them to alertness in continuing to answer the question- what DCS heritage do they want to leave behind or what they want those that are going to come after them to inherit?
Participants brought in their full game with high levels of enthusiasm and creativity. The adjudication of the dance challenge saw the Branch: Human Resources emerged as winners. In her closing remarks, DC: HRD, Ms. Linda Bond, thanked all officials who participated, as well as management who were at the forefront of making the event a success.