The National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, hosted the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms Monica Juma, on 9 November 2026.
Ms Juma and her delegation visited Drakenstein Correctional Facility, which houses the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy. The DCS took the UNODC delegation through the academy to brief them on its progress since President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened it on 11 February 2026.
The National Commissioner highlighted that the academy trains officials on different aspects of the correctional system. He emphasised that its reach extends beyond South Africa to the SADC region, Africa, and the world.
Ms Juma reflected that people across the world look to Nelson Mandela for inspiration. She emphasised that colleagues from other countries have high expectations of the academy and want to deliver their best, noting that it stands as a centre of excellence.
Reflecting on the importance of the partnership between DCS and UNODC, Ms Juma highlighted that the two institutions are the custodians of the Nelson Mandela Rules. They work together to ensure that the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners are upheld. She identified helping member states make justice accessible to all, including those denied their rights, as the core mandate of UNODC.
“DCS and UNODC will work together to ensure that training offered at the academy measures up to the level of the minimum standard rules elaborated in the Mandela Rules,” she said.
The National Commissioner elaborated on how the academy will provide training. He highlighted that participants will access training in two ways: physically, using three classrooms with a capacity of 30 people each, and virtually, using the computer lab at the facility.
The National Commissioner emphasised the need to increase capacity and market the academy both internationally and in Africa. He hailed the UNODC visit as imperative, as it brought an international leader who interacts with world leaders daily, which will assist in mobilising resources to develop the academy further. Ms Juma is based at the UNODC head office in Vienna, Austria.
Reflecting on the academy’s functionality, the National Commissioner highlighted that it is already operational and that training and development plans for officials are currently underway.