05/10/2026
On Saturday, 3 October, the Rea Thusana team had the privilege of attending the second annual Prison Ministry Seminar hosted by Hillsong Africa Foundation, centred around the theme RESTORE: Restoring Hearts to Restore the Nation.
It was a powerful day of learning and connecting with people working across corrections, restorative justice, rehabilitation, trauma-informed care, ministry and reintegration.
One of the reminders that stayed with me was this: containment is not transformation.
Restorative justice asks different questions: Who has been harmed? What do they need? Who needs to take responsibility for helping make things right?
We were also reminded of the importance of being trauma-informed, not simply asking, “What is wrong with you?” but also asking, “What happened to you?” Understanding trauma does not excuse harmful behaviour or remove accountability. Instead, it helps us respond with greater wisdom, compassion and a deeper understanding of what genuine healing can require.
Restoration is about more than completing a sentence or changing an individual. It is about healing, accountability, relationships, belonging, families and communities.
Thank you to the Hillsong Africa Foundation and speakers including Lisa Marqua-Harries, Venessa Padayachee and Andrew May for creating space for these important conversations.
For Rea Thusana, this was an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect on how we can continue creating spaces where people are seen beyond their past, where healing is possible, and where restored lives can contribute to restoring communities.
Containment is not transformation. Restoration is.
♥️🙏🏾🌱