Santam and NICRO launch the school safety ambassador programme

Ray-ann Sedres, Head of Sustainability at Santam

Santam is proud to announce that it is joining forces with NICRO (National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders) to launch the School Safety Ambassador Programme. Santam will investR2.5 million over the next five years and the programme will be launched in four provinces (Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal).

This programme was conceptualised by NICRO against the backdrop of thousands of young people entering the criminal justice system as offenders. The project takes place at secondary school level, where “young ambassadors” are selected and empowered with the prerequisite skills, knowledge, experience and motivation to serve as positive role models for other youth.

Says Ray-ann Sedres, Head of Sustainability at Santam: “At Santam, we recognise the importance of creating opportunities for young people. We continue to support them as they negotiate numerous difficulties and challenges. Santam endeavours to offer a world of certainty to everyone we come into contact with be they policyholders, suppliers or members of organisations. We protect them as they undertake the journey from their homes and their communities, to becoming invaluable members of the South African society.”

NICRO is uniquely placed to successfully implement this programme because of its existing relationships with key stakeholders in the communities (schools, courts, parents) and its long history of working with youth at risk through prevention programmes, face to face intervention and other forms of rehabilitation programmes.

Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, NICRO’s Regional manager says: “Through the partnership between Santam and NICRO; Santam’s contribution will go a long way in securing the future of South Africa by assisting young people to develop into responsible citizens of this country. Thank you to Santam for playing an active role as a community development stakeholder.”