‘Farewell Mr Busch’
If one thing is certain, Mossel Bay will not soon forget the newly-promoted head of the correctional youth centre, Phillip Busch.
This was evident at his farewell hosted this week at the lapa at the youth centre. Busch has taken office as the Department of Correctional Services deputy director of the Karoo Region and is now based in Oudtshoorn. The newly-appointed head of the centre is Mr Z Sofuthe.
As various speakers attending the farewell came forward to pay tribute to the former head of the centre and wish him well, there were as many emotional moments as there was chuckles. Although it was clear that he will be missed, all the speakers were generous in wishing him many blessings in his new position.
Programme director Xolani Phithi said that events such as these offer great opportunity to honour people in life, without having to wait for a funeral.
Jason Pieterse, an inmate, who spoke first, confessed that he arrived at the youth centre, having no belief left in himself, but that Busch turned this situation around.
“We, the inmates love you very much Mr Busch. We will never forget you.”
One after another, members of the youth centre echoed this sentiment, saying that they viewed Busch as a member of their extended family, a shepherd, a father.
He was lauded for being an approachable leader, known to make time for, listen to and assist his staff where possible. One member specifically mentioned that Busch’s name, to him, is synonymous with a positive attitude - a tie that binds the staff at the youth centre.
The head of community corrections, Mrs B Dlwathi, in her vote of thanks, triggered spontaneous laughter, when she said that not having been in Mossel Bay long, she had to do an internet search to find out more. “I Googled Mr Busch and found that Mr Busch is a true people’s person and that he goes out of his way to help the ladies.”
In handing him a gift, made up of financial contributions from his former staff, she said that it was testimony of what he meant to them and the legacy he leaves behind at the Mossel Bay youth centre.
Always ready with a lighthearted comment, Busch poked fun at his admiration for women. “Of course I love women. My mother was a woman.”
On a more serious note, he generously thanked everyone who made an input in his life, since he started working at the youth centre in 1993. The centre then, still housed adult offenders. “Over the years, I have learnt from the members as well as from the inmates. I can assure you that my new rank is not going to affect my attitude towards my work or people.”
Photo: Cornelle Carstens