"The entire point of the excursion was to show the youth of South Africa how sectors of our country and the whole, work. Sometimes people become so wrapped up in their own lives, they forget that the world is so much bigger than just an us, our schools, our friends and our activities. To help change the world and to make a difference, we need to first understand how it functions," explained Kristin Groenewald, an Oakhill School learner.
The learners attended a municipal council meeting, visited the Knysna Magistrate's Court and the Knysna Police Station.
Constable Christopher Spies, SAPS media liaison officer, said, "This visit forms part of a yearly initiative between the Knysna Rotary Club and the local police station. The learners met with the station commander, Colonel Nolan Michaels and discussed the roles and responsibilities of the South African Police Service."
The learners were also accompanied by Spies on a tour of the police station. "It included visits to different units at the station, in particular the Community Service Centre (CSC), Local Criminal Record Centre and the Victim Support Room. The learners also had discussions with Warrant Officer Abraham Coetzer, WO Hetta Beukes, Sergeant Happy Lumkwane and Sergeant Corne Stander about their responsibilities at the station."
"It was an important opportunity for the Knysna Police to engage with these learners and also provide them with information around career opportunities within the police," said Spies.
"We want to thank the organisers and all the schools that participated in this initiative," Spies concluded.
Groenewald explained, "Later, at the police station we were reminded that for every action there is a reaction and for every decision we make, there are consequences that people must face, as we were shown around the cells. Perhaps if more school children were shown what we saw that day, the crime rate would be substantially lower," explained Groenewald. She further said, "It was incredible to have time with the police officers, to ask questions and to share momentarily what their jobs entailed."
The learners also visited the Knysna Town Library, Knysna Provincial Hospital, fire station, and lastly SANParks and the Knysna NSRI Station.
Groenewald said that the tour was an experience beyond words. "We got to meet some of the best people - people who make our country and the world we live in a better place, simply by doing their jobs. It was an eye-opening adventure."
"Our perspective and views on life were really broadened. I learned so much and would recommend this mini-journey to as many people as possible," concluded Groenewald.
Knysna learners representing various local schools recently enjoyed an opportunity to get to know their town better. The learners attended a two-day excursion entitled Know your Town, which was organised by Rotary Knysna. They visited the Knysna Municipal Chambers, Knysna Police Station (photograph), Knysna Fire Station, Knysna Town Library, Knysna Magistrate's Court, Knysna NSRI Station and SANParks.
