A young man incarcerated at the Brandvlei Correctional Services outside Worcester is spending his time behind bars building a better future.
Christiano Nasen, incarcerated for murder since 2018, has secured third place among the Department of Correctional Services‘ top achievers for the 2025. He earned four distinctions, with 77% in Afrikaans Home Language, 82% in English First Additional Language, 88% in Mathematical Literacy, 88% in Life Orientation, 74% in Agricultural Management Practice, 77% in Agricultural Technology and 95% in Tourism.
He plans to continue his studies in Accounting through the University of South Africa (Unisa).
Nasen has committed himself to several rehabilitation programmes and continued his education at Brandvlei Youth School.
Wesley Moodley, CEO of the Centre of Excellence in Bishop Lavis, said in a Facebook post that it was a pleasure to meet Nasen at the awards ceremony. “Studying behind bars and against considerable odds, he persevered and achieved an impressive overall average of 83%,” he said. “His (Nasen’s) story stands as a powerful reminder that rehabilitation, education and second chances can lead to real transformation.”
Nasen is one of many inmates across the country that wrote the 2025 matric exams. A total of 15 out of 18 Correctional Services schools attained a 100% Grade 12 pass rate, Brandvlei being one of them. The overall national pass rate at the Correctional Services schools is 94,4%, the department said.
