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Thandi Makoko
Director, Bosasa Group of Companies
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Thandi Makoko is Chairperson of Bosasa’s Youth Development Centres. She completed a B.A. Social Science with the University of Limpopo which followed with an Honours Degree in Probation and Correctional Practice with the University of Cape Town. Her Master’s Degree addressed the experiential world of children awaiting trial at the Dyambu Youth Centre. Today she is a PhD candidate remaining within the youth centre environment to which she has dedicated her life’s work. Her PhD focus embraces a subject of global concern: the management and care of young people with mental health challenges awaiting trial.
Thandi has been with the Bosasa Group for 15 years and acted as Chairperson of the Bosasa Youth Centres for 13 years. With paradigm shift thinking, she has pioneered unique and successful approaches to youth development centre advancement. Her emphasis has been placed on developing a multi-faceted and sustainable model that reaches out to youth in conflict with the law. She has overseen the application of her vision expand from one centre in Gauteng to nine in five provinces.
Thandi leads a team of professional people who are specialists in their fields. These cut across training, youth development, skills development, training programme accreditation, nutrition, mental health, social work, clinical psychology and medicine. Together with co-director Jackie Leyds, rehabilitation and prevention models are tested within new legislation frameworks.
Visits to international youth centres have demonstrated that the Bosasa model has pioneered fresh thinking and workable protocols. These have been lauded by the Department of Correctional Services as well as academic and professional bodies. Thandi is currently monitoring the introduction of mentoring programmes at Youth Centres within their portfolio.